Summary: Nick is struggling to make it day by day. Justin is trying to survive stardom. They both live two very different lives, but when they meet on a cold winters night a friendship begins. Will there be more then friendship? Do opposites really attract?

Paring: Justin/Nick (Timbernick)

Rating: PG-13 and Up

Warning: This is slash, meaning there will be male/male sexual relations mentioned in the story. Also, this story should also get a HET warning for those of you that don't like HET content. There are other couples in this story other then Justin and Nick and a few of them happen to be male/female couples. If you don't want to read chapters with explicit HET content then go ahead and scroll down to read the EDITED chapters.

Authors Note: I am really grateful to have a great friend writing this story with me. How we have it worked out is that I write whatever Nick says, and my good friend Kris writes all of Justin's lines. If this is confusing, or if you have any questions about the format feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help clear anything up.

Status: Incomplete

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Randall walked into the house and smiled at his wife before turning and walking towards the middle of the kitchen. That is when he saw Justin standing there. "Hello, Justin."

Nick glanced up from his cookie but quickly looked back down, thinking he could hide if he wasn't watching.

Justin cleared his throat. "Hi," he said...shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Merry Christmas."

Randall put on a small smile and nodded his head. "Merry Christmas to you too." He then pushed past Justin and over to Jon and started to talk to him about the cookie he had made, not noticing Nick sitting right across the table.

Justin took a deep breath...staring at the door, and not moving from his spot.

Lisa sighed. "Randy...that's Nick," she said...gesturing toward him at the table. "He's a friend of Justin's. Remember...I told you he was coming...?"

Hearing his name, Nick looked up again and put on a polite smile. After whipping his hands on his jeans he held his right hand out for the older man to shake. "Nice to meet you sir."

Randy shook Nick's hand quickly before leaving the table. "I'm going to go out and see what is taking Mother so long." He said before pushing past Justin again and back out into the garage.

Justin shook his head, then took another deep breath before walking through the kitchen, and out the sliding glass door into the back yard...using a little too much force when sliding the door closed behind him.

Nick put his hands back down in his lap and looked around the room. Stopping his eyes on Lisa he looked at her for a second and then outside, wondering what he was supposed to do. He wanted to comfort Justin...but he didn't know how.

"Give him some time," Lisa quietly said to Nick...returning her attention to her cookies.

Nick took a deep breath and nodded his head. For once he was actually going to do just that.

Steven wasn't so keen on that idea though. He quickly got up out of his chair and walked outside to stand next to Justin. "You told me not to let him get to me...so you gota do the same, Justin." He said in his little voice, looking up at his big brother.

Justin looked down at Steven...determined not to appear to be upset. he didn't want to upset his brothers on Christmas. Steven was too young to understand...and that wasn't the time to try and explain. "I know, Munchkin...but...sometimes it's hard when I haven't seen him in so long."

Steven nodded his head and sighed. "You're friend, Nick wants to come see you...but mama told him to leave you alone...should he leave you alone?"

Justin nodded...dropping into one of the chairs at the patio table. "Yeah, kiddo...for a little while."

Steven nodded again and leaned over to give his brother a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you came for Christmas...even if dad isn't." With that he walked back into the house.

Justin smiled as he watched Steven go back inside...his eyes stinging with tears. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed his mother's phone number.

Lynn put the hot pad down she was using and walked to pick up the phone. "Hello?"

Justin sighed when he heard his mother's voice. "Mama...he's being a dickhead already...and he just walked in the door."

Lynn groaned and shook her head. "Honey...you know you can come home if you need to...we can have Steven and Jon over tomorrow morning to do our own Christmas."

"I can't do that, mama...I can't take them away from their parents on Christmas...they need to be here."

"But you can't make yourself miserable on Christmas either." Lynn pointed out...getting really upset at her ex husband all over again.

"I just...I don't know. I try so hard not to let him bother me...but no matter what, he pisses me off. He like...completely brushed by me when he walked into the house."

Lynn gripped the side of the counter hard, trying to keep her anger in check. "I'm sorry honey....You shouldn't have to deal with his shit anymore."

"I know, mama. But...I'm not even worried about me. Steven was all upset before because Jon won this Spelling bee and came home with this certificate thing...and Randy asked him how come HE never gets any awards."

"For Christ sakes...the boy is only in first grade!" Lynn exclaimed, seriously wondering once again why she had been married to the man.

Justin sighed. "I know...and that's what I told Steve...that he's not old enough for awards yet. And I told him that I NEVER got an award in school. But he was all like...'well you get moonmen and grammys.' He paused and had to chuckle. "Let's just not tell the boy I've never actually WON a Grammy."

Lynn laughed a little. "You've got time for that one still."

Justin sighed again. "Damn, ma. I don't know if I can handle this. Ya know...if it weren't for these boys...I'd never speak to that man again."

"Justin...you CAN still come home you know. Paul and I would be happy to have you and Nick here for Christmas." Lynn sighed. "I just don't want to see you getting hurt...and we can have Steve and Jon over the day after tomorrow for presents and stuff...you know how kids get...they like LONG Christmas'."

"I know, mama. But...I've NEVER not been here with them on Christmas mornin...when they come down to see Santa's presents, and all. I miss enough. I don't wanna miss THAT, too."

"Then go stay at a hotel for the night and come back on Christmas morning." Lynn suggested. "That way you don't have to deal with Randall except for the morning when things will be so crazy he has to leave you alone."

"I can't mamma. They're so excited to have me sleep in their room tonight. I have to suck it up for them."

Lynn sighed again and nodded even though Justin couldn't see her. "Okay honey...I know you can do it...you're strong."

"Yeah...I know. But...how much trouble do you think I'd get in if I punched him?"

"It's not like he can ground you...or kick you out. You're and adult now Justin...he can't treat you like a child."

"No...but he could like...sue me for all my money, or some shit."

Lynn couldn't help but let out a laugh that sounded almost evil. "If he did that...he would have a lot of bad shit coming to him." She said sounding nothing like she normally did...just NOBODY messed with her little boy.

Justin laughed. "Aight, mama...I'll let you go. Have a good night, and I'll see you early tomorrow afternoon. Ya'll better not open any presents til I get there."

Lynn laughed. "I won't...see you and Nick tomorrow...good luck, honey."

"I love you, mama. Merry Christmas."

"Love you too honey...and Merry Christmas."

"Bye." Justin flipped his phone shut and put it in his jeans pocket...then took a deep breath as he rubbed his hands over his face a few times.

Nick slowly got up from his chair and then walked over to the sliding glass door and opened it. Sticking his head out he watched Justin finish the conversation with his mom silently...He didn't want to intrude...knowing Justin needed time...but he felt like he had to help...some how.

"I don't know how much you know about Justin's relationship with his father..." Lisa started...seeing Nick looking out at her step son as she cleaned up the counter. "...but I guess one could say they don't get along all that well. They never really did, actually. Not since Jonathan was born, anyway."

Nick turned back to look at Lisa when he heard her talking to him. "I don't know details...but I got the impression that things weren't good at all."

"Randy wasn't ready for a child when Justin came along. He and Lynn were young. So...it's almost as though he's resented him from the beginning." Lisa shook her head. "Now believe me...I don't agree with it at all. I think Justin's a wonderful young man...and I love him very much. But...I just can't get his father to change his ways."

Nick smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah...you're right...he is a wonderful person." As he said this his smile got bigger and he turned back to watch Justin silently.

Lisa smiled as she took a quick look at Nick. "Tell me a little about yourself, Nick."

"About me?" Nick asked, turning around again. That was a topic he wasn't sure he could answer without lying...and he didn't know what Justin wanted him to say.

Lisa nodded as she started arranging her cookies on a tray...a warm smile on her face. "Sure."

Nick cleared his throat as he sat back down at the table. "Umm...I'm almost twenty four...and I was born and raised in Indianapolis..."

"Oh...that's nice," Lisa said...finishing up with the cookies and bringing the tray to the table. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, please." Nick said with a smile as he took a deep breath, his eyes going back to the door.

"So...what do you do in Indianapolis?" Lisa asked...going back to the counter to pour the coffee.

"As of right now I don't really do anything." Nick admitted. "But I did work days at Starbucks...and then nights as this little pub that a family friend owned...tending the bar."

"Oh...right. Isn't that where Justin met you?" Lisa brought the two mugs of coffee to the table, then went to get the cream, sugar and spoons.

"Yeah that's where he met me." Nick said with a smile, remembering the night.

"Do you have your jobs on hold while you're traveling with Justin?" Lisa took a seat across from Nick, then started fixing her coffee.

Nick shook his head as he took a sip of his straight black coffee. "Actually no...Technically as of right now I'm unemployed...but Justin did offer me a job at his restaurant in LA."

Lisa widened her eyes. "Oh. That's lovely. I haven't had a chance to get out there and see it, yet...but I've heard it's incredible...and it's getting great reviews."

"Yeah...that's what I've heard. But I'm going to wait to move out there...when Justin has time to actually go home and help me get settled...cuz I don't know anybody who lives in California...well besides him." Nick rambled.

Lisa nodded. "I'm sure it's pretty easy to get swallowed up in Los Angeles."

"I wouldn't know...Up until a few weeks ago I had never left Indianapolis." Nick laughed shaking his head.

Lisa chuckled as she sipped her coffee. "Are you enjoying traveling around the country? And never mind the traveling...I've seen how crazy those kids can get on tour."

Nick laughed again and nodded. "Yeah, it's been really cool...I really enjoyed New York."

Lisa nodded again...reaching for a cookie and placing it on a napkin in front of her. "So...why aren't you spending the holidays with your family? I mean...not that you're not welcome here."

Nick took a deep breath. "I'm not exactly on speaking terms with my parents."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, Nick," Lisa said...not prying any further.

"Eh...it's okay I've gotten used to it over the years." Nick said with a smile. "But thank you for letting me spend the holidays with you guys...it means a lot."

Lisa smiled. "Don't even mention it. Any friend of Justin's is welcome here any time. And I mean that. Despite the vibe you might get around here sometimes."

"Well...now she's all set and napping." Randy said as he walked into the room, automatically going to pick up one of the cookies off the table right in front of Nick...ignoring he was even there.

"That's good. Where are they boys? They left her alone, I hope."

"Up in their room playing video games." Randy said as he grabbed himself a mug and poured a cup of coffee.

Justin chose that moment to come back into the house. He glanced quickly at his father as he passed by the counter, then went to the table and sat next to Lisa...across the table from Nick. "Sorry. I needed some air."

Nick smiled at Justin over his coffee mug as he took a sip.

"So did you help them figure out where they were sleeping?" Randall asked Lisa, talking about Nick and Justin.

"We can figure it out," Justin said...not looking up at Randy.

"Good." Randy said as he walked and grabbed another cookie, this one being one that Nick had worked really hard on and took a bite.

Nick looked down at the place where the cookie had been sadly...but didn't say anything.

"How's granny?" Justin asked...looking down at the napkin he was playing with in his hands.

"Fine...she said she will come down and give you your Christmas hugs and kisses when she wakes up."

"OK," Justin said...then got up from his seat to go get himself a cup of coffee.

"I'm going to go use the restroom." Nick whispered as he got up from the table and walked out of the room to look for the bathroom.

Randy's eyes followed Nick as he took a seat at the table. "Weird kid."

“Shut up," Justin said simply from where he was pouring his coffee. "You don't even know him."

Randy looked up at Justin with fire in his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"I said shut up. You don't KNOW Nick...so don't go passing judgement. Damn, man...that's JUST like you."

Lisa took a deep breath. "Justin...calm down. Randy...Nick is a very nice young man. Give him a chance."

Nick stood from where he was still outside the Kitchen door and listened to everything that was being said. He didn't want to be the reason Justin was fighting with his father. Turning around, being his clumsy self he knocked over a wooden moose that was on the floor and it made a noise as he crashed to the floor.

Randy looked towards the door, his eyes scrunched up. "What the hell was that?"

Lisa got up and went out to the hall. When she saw the statue knocked over, she bent over to adjust it. "No harm done, hun," she said...smiling at Nick. "Want me to show you to the bathroom?"

Nick just nodded his head but kept his head down because he didn't want the older woman to see the tears in his eyes.

Lisa put a gentle hand on Nick's shoulder, and led him down the hall to show him the bathroom.

Randy watched the whole scene and snorted. "What a pansy...acts more emotional then Steven when he's sick."

Justin put his coffee mug down on the counter and turned to look at his father. "What the hell is your problem? Would you lay off for Christ's sake?!"

"What did I say? I didn't say anything that would be offensive...if it wasn't true." Randy said, not letting it go.

Justin sighed with a roll of his eyes. "Just being as rude as you are right now is offensive enough. He's a guest in your home."

"As are you...so you shouldn't be being disrespectful." Randy shot back, not giving up.

"That's bull...and you know it. Lisa doesn't consider me a guest...she considers me a part of the family."

Randy didn't say anything else but got up and walked out of the room in a huff.

Justin's frustration overtook him. "Yup..." he called after his father's retreating back. "...glad to see you're still an asshole."

Randy stopped in the doorway and turned back around. "Don't you DARE speak to me like that Justin Randall Timberlake...you are staying in my house...so you WILL respect me...do you understand?" He said, with fire and anger in his eyes.

Justin snickered. "Why? Because you're so damn respectful to me?"

"If you are going to continue this...you aren't going to be in my house...either you respect ME or you're gone." Randall exclaimed.

"I only give respect where it's due," Justin said calmly as he put his coffee cup in the sink...suddenly not wanting to drink it anymore. "YOU treat ME like shit...and you want me to respect you."

"You're the child...I'm the parent...and you're in MY house." Randy pointed out. "I'm not going to have you around showing MY son's your bad habits...so if you're going to keep up this attitude you might as well just get the hell out of here."

Justin just stared at his father for a moment before brushing past him. "Yeah...I might as well..." he said coldly as he headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Nick had just come out of the bathroom when he saw Justin heading for the stairs. "What's going on?" He asked, causiously in case Justin was really angry and going to lash out at him too.

"Get your things...we're leaving," Justin said before he made it to the stop of the stairs. Once there, he took a deep breath before walking into his brothers' room. He closed the door behind him...sighing quietly as he thought about having to tell them he wouldn't be around for Christmas after all.

Steven and Jon both turned to look at Justin when they heard the door shut. Seeing their brother's face they automatically knew something was wrong.

"You're not staying are you?" Jon asked, putting the controller down.

Justin took another deep breath, and went to sit on the edge of one of the beds. "I'm sorry...but...I'm gonna have to go. Ya'll know I don't WANT to...but I HAVE to."

Steven put his controller down too and walked over to where Justin was sitting. "It's okay, Justin...I don't want you being sad cuz of Dad."

Justin managed a smile. "Nah...it's not just that," he said...not wanting the little boy to think less of his father.

Thinking of something, Steven got a big smile on his face. "Do you think Lynn would let US come to YOUR house for Christmas?"

"Well...you know you guys are welcome there any time. But...I think your mom and dad are gonna want you HERE for Christmas."

"We could come after we open our presents here. Like we could just open the ones from you and Lynn at your house." Jon suggested, getting up off the floor and joining Steven by the bed.

Justin chuckled...trying to keep things light. "You mean you want me to bring them ALL the way home again?"

"Nick can help you carry them all." Steven giggled and then glared at his brother when he elbowed him in the arm.

"Don't be rude, snot head." Jon exclaimed.

"Alright boys...that's enough."

"So can we?" Steven asked, practically jumping up and down.

Justin rubbed a hand over his buzzed head as he thought about it. "I don't know, guys...you're gonna have to ask your mom and dad."

Without another word both boys opened their door and ran out of the room, almost knocking Nick over in the process.

Nick stepped to the side, slightly shocked as he watched the boys run out of their room. "Whoa."

Justin sighed and rubbed his hands over his face as he dropped back on the bed. "Shit."

Setting his back pack by the door, Nick slowly made his way into the room and sat down on the bed next to Justin. "I'm sorry...If I made things worse between you and your father...my being here I mean." He said softly, since he knew they were arguing about him.

"It has nothing to do with you. He's a fuckin bastard. He hates me, and he always will. I don't know why I thought it'd be different this time."

"Because you wanted to believe that he had changed...I know the feeling all too well, Justin." Nick said with a small smile. He managed to keep his hands in his lap, even though he really wanted to pull Justin into his arms because he knew he was hurting.

"This sucks. I promised these boys I'd be here for Christmas."

Nick turned back to look at the door and laughed a little. "They didn't seem too upset when they went running out of here like bats outa hell."

"They wanna come to my house tomorrow to open gifts and stuff. I told them they have to ask."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Just then Steven came running back into the room, jumping up and down like Mexican Jumping beans. "She said yes, She said yes, She said yes!"

*****@*****

Lisa walked into the kitchen, and folded her arms over her chest as she looked over at her husband. "I told the boys I'd drive them over to Lynn's right after we open gifts tomorrow so they can spend the day with Justin," she said flatly.

"Sounds nice." Randy muttered as he drank down a shot and then reached to pour himself another.

Lisa took a deep breath as she watched Randy. "Why do you do it, Randy? He's your son, for Christ's sake."

Randy turned around and glared at his wife. "I don't want to talk about it, Lisa...let's just drop it...kay?"

"No. I'm not going to drop it," Lisa said...keeping her voice strong. She'd been married to Randy for eighteen years, and she'd come to love Justin very much...and always stood up for him. "He is your son...and he is a kind, generous, respectful, successful, wonderful young man. Damn, Randy. He isn't even MY son...and *I* love him more than you do."

Randy tilted his head back and drank down another shot, going to fill his glass again. "That's good for you...I'm glad." He said with sarcasm in his voice. "I don't wan to talk about this. You can take the boys to Lynn's I don't fucking care...but just leave me the hell alone!"

Lisa's eyes filled with tears...her heart breaking for her step son. "Don't you think you owe me an explanation? Why do you push him away...and treat him like a stranger...like an enemy?"

"Just stop it!" Randy shouted as he threw his shot glass to the floor. "I don't wana to talk about it!"

Lisa jumped a bit...startled by her husband's actions. "Well...fine..." she started...managing to keep her voice calm. "...enjoy your Christmas, then...because I'm going to Lynn's WITH the boys...and we're leaving now. Don't forget about your poor mother upstairs." With that...she turned and went upstairs to call Lynn.

Randy turned to look at Lisa, his mouth open like he was going to say something, but instead he turned and stormed out into the garage door. Getting into his car he drove away, no idea where he was going.

*****@*****

Marty slowly made his way downstairs and was slightly shocked to see the house was so quiet already. Sighing, He walked into the family room when he heard the TV and smiled when he saw Kelly lying on the couch. Kneeling down on the floor he ran his fingers through her hair.

Kelly's eyes fluttered open as she immediately came out of her light sleep. She smiled at Marty, then closed her eyes back up as she stretched under the blanket with a groan.

"Told you...you were sleepy too." Marty giggled softly.

Kelly laughed...opening her eyes and looking at her watch. "Wow...I slept like...six hours."

Marty's eyse went wide and smiled. "Wow...good job. That must mean I slept like 8." He laughed.

Kelly nodded...looking up into Marty's eyes. "How do you feel?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders and held up his shaky hands. "Could be better...but I'll survive."

Kelly reached for Marty's shaky hand. "Lay down with me?"

Just them Marty got an idea. Getting up off the floor he walked over to the fire place and started the gas fire place. Grabbing another blanket off another one of the couches he laid it on the floor...then grabbed the pillows off the couch, making a makeshift bed. "Come lie down here with me?"

Kelly smiled as she sat up and handed Marty the blanket she'd been using. "Sure...but I'm kinda hungry...and I know YOU must be, too. You wanna get us a snack while I go change?" she asked...noting how comfy Marty looked in his PJ pants and t-shirt.

Marty nodded. "Okay, that sounds like a good idea." Walking to give Kelly a soft kiss, he smiled before walking towards the kitchen.

Kelly watched Marty go into the kitchen, then headed up to his room. She changed into the Victoria's Secret pajamas Marty had bought her at the mall the night before to cheer her up after the call with her sister...too-big white flannel ones with blue snowflakes all over them. After she buttoned the pajama shirt up, she put her slippers back on, and went back downstairs to meet Marty in the kitchen.

Meanwhile in the Kitchen Marty was busy making popcorn and fixing a plate full of homemade Christmas cookies. The whole time humming a Jingle Bell's to try and keep his spirts up that were falling quickly the more and more his hands started to shake from the lack of caffeine in his body.

Kelly smiled when she saw Marty at the counter, and she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hi."

Marty smiled when he felt Kelly wrap her arms around his waist. "Are my parents home...or do you know?" He asked as he continued to try and arrange the cookies just right.

Kelly nodded as she buried her face in Marty's back. "They came home around five o'clock. I talked to your mom for a while, then she went upstairs to take a bath...and I must have fallen asleep shortly after that."

Finally having the cookies laid out Marty nodded. "Oh...okay...they came home early then I guess." He said feeling really guilty now. "Because of me."

Kelly sighed...wrapping her arms around Marty tighter. "Don’t think like that, sweetie," she said into his back. "They were worried. I'm sure they don't blame you for anything."

"I blame myself." Marty whispered as he stared out the window into the backyard. Since it was lighted he could still see the trees moving in the snow.

"I'm sure they didn't mind coming home early. They love you...and they wanted to make sure you were OK."

Marty turned to look at Kelly, tears in his eyes again. He felt so vulnerable...and not in control of his body or anything. "Am I okay?"

Kelly looked up at Marty and nodded. "Yes...you are. Because you're strong...and you have heart...so you can beat this. And...I'm gonna stick by you...and do whatever I can to help."

"Thank you...You shouldn't be doing this...after what I did to you...but thank you ...so much." Marty said as he leaned down and hugged Kelly tightly.

"What you did to me? You mean...lying?"

Marty nodded his head. "Yeah."

Kelly shrugged...looking up into Marty's eyes. "I forgive you this time...but I'm hoping you've figured out what's gonna happen if you keep doing it."

Marty nodded his head quickly. "I can't lose you, Kelly...I won't do it again...cuz I can't lose you!"

"I hope not...cuz I definitely don't want to lose you," Kelly said...then buried her face in Marty's t-shirt as she hugged him tightly.

]: Martin walked into the kitchen, and stopped just inside the doorway when he saw Marty and Kelly in an embrace at the counter. "Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't realize I'd be interrupting."

Marty turned to look at his dad and shook his head. "No...It's okay." He said with a small smile.

Martin smiled. "I was hungry...so I came for a snack before bed."

Kelly turned her head to look at Marty's father, and gave him a small smile. "Same idea as us."

Marty reached over and grabbed the plate of cookies, handing it to his father as it shaked in his hands. "Cookie?"

Martin nodded...looking his son in the eye as he took the plate from him. "Thanks." He picked up a cookie and took a bite. "How are you...umm...feeling?"

Kelly stepped away from Marty at that point to go look for some drinks in the fridge...wanting to give them a minute.

"Could be better." Marty said with a sigh. "I hate this." He admitted, looking down at his feet.

"Of course you do. It just isn’t right to feel this way."

Marty went to the microwave and pulled out the bag of popcorn and shook it around a bit. "I feel like I've ruined Christmas for everybody...I picked a really stupid time to be found out about all this."

Martin put the plate of cookies down on the counter. "You haven't ruined Christmas. Christmas still doesn't technically start for another fifty-five minutes. Tomorrow will be a better day."

Kelly took two bottles of water out of the refrigerator, then went into the living room to sit on the couch to wait for Marty to finish with his dad.

"I hope so Dad, I lied to Kelly so bad this afternoon. I hid some of the pills from her and then when she left took them. She kept asking me if I took something and I kept telling her no. Then she found my stash..." Marty was close to tears by the time he was done. "How can I be such a stupid person...how can I be so terrible that I lie to the woman I love more then anything?"

Martin put a hand on Marty's shoulder, and led him to the table to sit down. "Son...you're not a terrible person...not by any means," he said...sitting in the chair next to his son. "And well...it's normal for you to feel like shit for lying to Kelly...because you love her. You SHOULD feel guilty."

"I do feel guilty...I knew what I was doing while I was doing it...but I hate how I Feel right now...I don't feel human...it's like somebody else is in control of my body...I hate this feeling, daddy...that I just had to take them...because It feels better when I do."

Martin took a deep breath. "Think about it this way, son. More than likely, you're going to lose Kelly if you keep taking the pills and keep lying to her...right?" he questioned, then paused to make sure Marty was following him.

Mary nodded his head. "Right."

"OK. Now...how good does Kelly make you feel? And...I'm not talking about sex and all that crazy shit."

Marty had to laugh a little at that. "I wouldn't know what sex with Kelly is like anyway...so umm...she makes me feel happy and alive. I love her so much."

"OK. Now...compare that to how the pills make you feel. Which would you rather have?"

"I know I would rather have Kelly, then the pills dad...I'm just scared is all."

"Scared of what?"

"Everything...scared of fucking up again...scared that I'm not going to be able to do it. Dad, It scares me so bad to know that it's only taking me a month to get this addicted to them again...when the first time It took me a year or so to get this far." Marty admitted, looking down at his hands.

"What are you scared of fucking up, James? Scared of not being able to do WHAT?"

"Scared of fucking everything up with you and Mom...scared that I do something to make Kelly hate me. I'm scared that I can't stop."

"You CAN stop...because you have the support of me...and your mother...and your girlfriend. And the only way you're going to fuck things up with any of us is if you DON'T stop."

"I want to...I really do dad." Marty said honestly. "It's just last time...when I went through all the withdrawal and shit...I was in a coma...I don't remember it...I'm scared of doing it this time around...where I will feel it."

Martin shrugged. "Well...that's where WE come in. We'll do the best we can to help you keep your mind off things. We'll get you through it, Marty. We will."

Marty couldn't help but smile big. "Thanks dad." He said reaching over to give his father a big hug.

Martin smiled, too as he hugged his son. When he pulled back, he looked at Marty questioningly. "Now...just a minute. Did I hear you say that you and Kelly aren't...well...ya know..."

Marty took one look at the look on his fathers face and busted up laughing. "No dad...Kelly and I aren't having sex."

Martin chuckled. "Are you serious? How can you be handling that?"

"Yes...I'm serious....and I'm handling quiet nicely...I guess." Marty laughed, thinking about the crazy dreams he'd been having.

"You GUESS?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not used to it...but I would do anything for Kelly...I even told her I would wait if she chooses to do this abstinence thing."

Martin widened his eyes. "Really."

Marty nodded. "I don't want to not be with Kelly...so if that is what she wants then I don't have much of a choice right?"

Martin nodded. "I give you credit, son. That shows how much you really care about her." Martin got up and stretched a bit. "Speaking of which...you should go be with her."

"Thanks dad...and you're right I will." Marty got up out of his chair and grabbed the popcorn and cookies before walking into the family room. "Want some food?"

Kelly looked up from the TV screen and smiled at Marty from her seat on the couch. "Sure. Everything OK with you and your dad?"

Marty nodded and then laughed, Taking Kelly's hand he led her over to the spot in front of the fire. "Yeah...but he didn't believe me when I said we weren’t...well...ya know." He said using his dads working.

Kelly chuckled...going with Marty and taking a seat on the blanket on the floor. "Having sex?"

"Yeah...that's the word isn't it." Marty laughed as he popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth.

Kelly crossed her legs to sit Indian style, and reached for a cookie. "Why didn't he believe you?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "Probably because he didn't think I could go without having sex...or something."

Kelly chuckled as she broke off a piece of the cookie and put it in her mouth. "Well...I didn't think you could, either...so..."

"Hey...but I'm doing good aren't I?" Marty giggled as he ate some more of the popcorn.

Kelly leaned over to give Marty a quick kiss. "You're doing very good."

Marty smiled big like a little kid who had been praised for something good at school. "Thanks...I try."

Kelly smiled as she took another bite of her cookie. "So...was I right? Your dad's not mad...is he?"

Marty shook his head. "No...he said he wont be mad unless I chose to not stop."

Kelly nodded. "Good. I told you they'd be supportive."

"I just wish they didn't have to go through this again...They already had to do it once."

Marty nodded his head. "That's true...and good thing it happened when I was at home...not still out on tour...I don't think I could do this without my family."

"Probably not," Kelly said...cracking open her water bottle and taking a sip.

Sighing, Marty lied down on the blankets and pillows and looked up at the ceiling and then over at Kelly. "I'm glad I have you."

Kelly smiled down at Marty as she hugged her legs up to her chest. "You SHOULD be. I'm quite a catch," she teased.

Marty rolled his eyes and laughed. "That is very true...and I'm one very lucky guy."

Kelly giggled. "Yes...you are," she played along. "But honestly...I'm very lucky, too. I've never had anyone love me and take care of me the way you do...even BEFORE we started dating."

"Yeah...well you're my Kelly...and I'm protective of my things." Marty giggled, grabbing onto her leg lightly. "Mine."

Kelly laughed again...her eyes still on Marty's. "Back up, baby. Who ever said I BELONG to you?"

"Uhh...Me?" Marty said, looking up at Kelly with big brown eyes sparkling mischievously.

Kelly chuckled as she leaned down and kissed Marty's lips softly. "How can I resist that look?"

Marty batted his eye lashes playfully and pouted. "I have no idea."

"Me neither," Kelly said...settling on her knees and leaning over Marty's right side. She brought her right hand up to his head as she rested against his chest. "Let's talk."

"What about?" Marty asked, looking at Kelly.

"About whatever you want," Kelly said with a slight shrug as she rubbed Marty's head. "I just love talking to you."

Marty smiled. "I love talk to you too...umm." He then looked up at the clock and noticed it was almost midnight. "Wait a second...hold that thought." He said getting up and running upstairs to his room.

Kelly sighed contentedly as she relaxed back against the pillows Marty had set on the floor...waiting for him to come back.

After being upstairs for a few minutes, Marty ran back down with a small wrapped box in his hand. Walking over to the pillows and blankets on the floor he sat back down. "Merry Christmas." He said handing the box to Kelly.

Kelly smiled as she took the box from Marty. "It's not even midnight yet. This is cheating," she said...looking Marty in the eye.

Marty blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "So, what...you deserve it after the day you've had." He said with a small smile.

"Why? I already have these cool PJs you bought me last night," Kelly said with a chuckle...taking a quick tug on her pajama top.

"Yeah...but that wasn't a surprise...you picked them out." Marty said the smile getting bigger. "This I actually picked out before the last minute."

"Wow...I should feel really special then, huh?" Kelly teased as she started to open the package.

Marty laughed. "Yeah I guess...Hopefully you like it cuz I kinda picked it out in a hurry...with the few hours I had before rehearsal that afternoon."

Kelly had a smile on her face as she finished removing the paper and opened the box. Her look turned to one of slight shock when she saw the delicate silver bracelet decorated with several small diamonds. "Oh my God," she said quietly as she took it out of the box. "Marty...this is gorgeous."

Marty couldn't help but grin. "Really...you like it? We thought you would...but we weren't sure." He said, forgetting he hadn't said who he ran into while at the store.

Kelly looked up from the bracelet to Marty. "We...?"

"Oh yeah...I ran into Nick...never thought I would see him at Tiffany’s...but yeah I ran into him and he helped me pick it out." Marty said, still smiling.

Kelly smiled. "Well it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much," she said quietly...then leaned over to give Marty a tender kiss on the lips.

Marty kissed Kelly back just as gently and then pulled back. "Would you like me to put it on you?"

"I would love that," Kelly replied...handing Marty the bracelet and holding out her right hand.

Marty opened the bracelet with his long slender fingers and then placed it over Kelly's wrist. Looking down he made sure to fasten it right. "There you go."

Kelly looked at the bracelet on her wrist. "Perfect," she said...then gave Marty another soft kiss. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." Marty said as he gently pulled Kelly into his arms. "Guess, good old Nicky has good taste." He giggled.

"Well you do, too," Kelly said...pulling her knees up to her chest as she rested her left side against Marty's chest.

"Thank you...I'm really glad you like it." Marty said holding Kelly close to his chest. "So, now what should we do?"

Kelly smiled. "Well...if you want...I could give you YOUR present."

Marty giggled as he hugged Kelly. "I don't need a present...I've got you."

Kelly giggled. "Well...you're getting it anyway...because I put a lot of thought into it."

"Oh...well then in that case...gifts are nice...I like unwrapping things...and I can't unwrap you." Marty giggled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah...well...not right now, anyway," she said as she got up and headed for the stairs. "I'll be right back."

"Alrighty." Marty said as he stretched his arms over his head. "I'll wait here." He laughed.

Kelly came back a couple minutes later with a small box in her hand. "OK...now...I really believe in presents on Christmas morning...so I've got something to give you THEN, too...but I want you to open this one when it's just us." She got on her knees on the blanket...resting back on her legs as she handed Marty the gift.

Marty laughed. "Alrighty...I wouldn't want you to break any of your beliefs."

Kelly smiled. "Good...thank you."

Looking down at the gift he ripped open the paper like a kid on Christmas morning and giggled when he saw the Tiffany’s box. "I see a theme...we can match now." He smiled up at Kelly before opening the box, his eyes going wide when he saw the amazing watch. "Holy shit!"

Kelly looked at Marty's face...trying to read his expression. "It's kinda like that one Justin has that you like so much. But...it's not exactly the same...because that would be dumb..." she rambled.

Marty smiled big and nodded. "Yeah...you're right...and I love it...it's perfect." He said leaning over go give Kelly a soft kiss. "Thank you."

Kelly smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure...and it took me forever to find the right one. I went to Tiffany's in three different cities before I found it."

Marty laughed. "Wow...that's pretty impressive...I probably would of been lost if Nick hadn't been there with me....that boy knows how to shop."

Kelly giggled. "Yeah...and we both know YOU don't...so..."

Marty put on a playful pout. "I'm good at other things though...I just don't shop."

"Of course, sweetie. You're good at dancing...and kissing...and...and..."

"Oh gee...thanks a lot." Marty laughed, rolling his eyes.

Kelly laughed. "Gimme time. I'll discover more things," she teased.

"Well...I'm not letting you go any time soon...so you've got time to figure it out." Marty laughed again, looking back down at his watch. "I love this...so much."

Kelly smiled. "Good. I'm glad."

Marty looked back up at Kelly and smiled a little more. "Can I do one of the things I'm so good at?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "You wanna dance...NOW?"

Marty rolled his eyes. "No...not dance...I meant kiss you."

Kelly giggled softly. "Since when do you have to ask?"

"I dunno...just thought I would be a gentleman." Marty giggled. "I will try something new for a change."

"That's not true..." Kelly pointed out as she rested back against the pillows...her eyes on Marty. "...you're always a gentleman." She laughed, then added, "I mean...well...at least when we're in romantic situations, anyway."

Marty rolled his eyes again. "You are sure full of crazy compliments tonight." He laughed. "But okay I will take all I can get and do the gentleman thing in romantic settings." He said looking around a the fire and the blankets and things. "This looks pretty romantic to me."

"It's very romantic. It's perfect. Thank you."

"I was actually thinking warm and comfy...but turned out to be romantic...very cool." Marty laughed.

"Warm and comfy...AND romantic. You've outdone yourself."

Marty put his watch down on the outside of the blankets and then scooted closer to Kelly. "Hello." He giggled, smiling big at her as he put his arm around her.

Kelly giggled. "Hi. Merry Christmas."

Marty looked up at the clock and smiled when he noticed it was after midnight. "Merry Christmas." He said before leaning over and kissing Kelly softly on the mouth.

Kelly smiled into the kiss as she returned it...bringing a hand up to the back of Marty's neck.

Marty deepened the kiss, and bringing his hands up to hold gently onto Kelly's face. His tongue slowly coming out of his mouth to lick Kelly's lips asking for entrance.

Kelly willingly opened her mouth to Marty...allowing herself to enjoy the slow, sweet, romantic kiss

Feeling Kelly's mouth open against his he let his tongue slip inside and slowly start to trace the insides of her mouth. The pads of his thumbs started to gently running over her cheeks as he kissed her sweetly...yet passionately.

Kelly brought both her hands to the back of Marty's head as she settled back against the pillows a bit more comfortably...spreading her legs to allow Marty to get closer to her.

Marty scooted in between Kelly's legs on his knees and continued to kiss her deeply.

Kelly slid her hands down to Marty's shoulders as she eased her tongue out against his...kissing him passionately, but managing to keep the kiss slow and sweet at the same time.

Marty moaned softly against the kiss as he allowed Kelly to set the pace. He knew that she didn't trust him anymore...or was having trouble with it...so he was going to prove to her that she she could.

Kelly moved her hands down to Marty's arms...softly trailing her fingertips up and down the warm skin exposed below his t-shirt sleeves. As she continued to kiss him back, she bent her right leg up at the knee, and pressed her thigh against Marty's left side.

Feeling himself starting to lose sight of the slow kiss, and needed to catch his breath, Marty pulled back from the kiss and smiled. "Wow...that was nice." He giggled.

Kelly smiled. "Very," she agreed...still lightly caressing Marty’s arms.

Marty looked down at her fingers on his arms and smiled. "You're hands feel nice." He said stupidly.

Kelly laughed softly. "Do they?"

"Uh huh." Marty smiled.

Kelly slipped her arms off Marty's arms and around his waist...resting her hands on the small of his back. "Do they feel nice here, too?" she asked with a smile.

Marty smiled back and nodded. "Yeah...they feel nice there too...even better maybe." He said moving to rest his larger hands on Kelly's thighs.

Kelly sighed quietly...her eyes on Marty's as she gently rubbed his back. "I'm really glad I came here with you."

"I'm glad you came here with me too...I'm just sorry things got kinda weird today...but tomorrow will be a better day...I hope." Marty said with a small smile.

Kelly smiled back. "I know it will."

"You sure you're ready for a Kudelka family Christmas...things get VERY crazy." Marty laughed.

Kelly chuckled. "You'll just have to stay by my side and protect me," she said...absently sliding her hands just under Marty's t-shirt onto his skin.

Marty shivered slightly at the feeling of Kelly's hands on his bare skin. "I will...I'll protect you from all the evil little kids."

"Or...just let me hang out with grandma. She's cool."

Marty couldn't help but bust up laughing. "Yeah Grandma is cool...but you get to meet Great Auntie tomorrow...that should be VERY fun." He said making a face.

"It can't be THAT bad," Kelly said...her fingertips tracing patterns on Marty's skin.

"No...it's not really...but I'm not sure if I'm in the mood to be treated like I'm eight." Marty laughed, and sighing contently, his eyes starting to droop.

Kelly giggled. "Am I putting you to sleep?"

Marty shook his head. "I'm sorry, honey...it's not your fault."

Kelly smiled. "It's OK. But...do you wanna go up to bed?"

"We better...or Santa wont come...it's after midnight." Marty smiled.

"Yeah..." Kelly said...looking over at the beautiful lit Christmas tree. "...we don’t wanna get skipped."

"Nope...I happen to want more presents...I love yours...but I wana know what Santa has too." Marty giggled sitting up better and then standing up, holding his hand out for Kelly. "And we gota be rested so we can survive the crazies tomorrow."

Kelly smiled as she grabbed Marty's hand to let him help her up. "Good idea," she said as she started to pick up the pillows on the floor.

Marty bent down and grabbed the blanket. Folding it he put in on the couch again and smiled. "Thanks for helping me clean up my mess." He giggled.

"Well...you made it for me...so I don't mind," Kelly said...picking up the last pillows, then stretching her arms high above her head.

"Are you going to actually sleep tonight too...or are you just going to come upstairs and lie with me?" Marty asked as he leaned down to pick the boxes and wrapping from their gifts.

Kelly shrugged. "I'll see. I DID just sleep six hours...so I might not be able to fall asleep right away."

"True...I just want to make sure you're getting enough sleep." Marty whispered as he walked to a trashcan by the couch and threw the paper away. "I don't want you getting sick too."

"I'll take care of myself...I promise."

Marty nodded as he took Kelly's hand. "Okay...I believe you." He said with a smile as he led her upstairs to his room.

Kelly went right for the bathroom to brush her teeth. "What time do you guys get up on Christmas?"

"My sisters and their kids won't be here until nine for breakfast...then we'll open presents." Marty said as he walked to sit down on his bed, he hated it but he was still so tired...even after sleeping for almost eight hours only a few hours before.

"Sounds crazy," Kelly said around her toothbrush as she stepped into the doorway to look at Marty.

Marty nodded and gave Kelly a small smile. "Yeah...it is." He said trying to hide how tired he was...when it was written all over his face.

Kelly smiled...then went to finish brushing her teeth before she went back into the bedroom. She went over to the bed...unbuttoning her pajama top on the way...wanting to sleep in the tank top she had underneath. "You OK?" she asked...putting the PJ top at the foot of the bed.

Marty nodded and smiled again. "Yeah...I'm alright…Just feel a little out of it is all." He answered honestly as he took off his PJ pants and t-shirt, wanting to sleep in his boxers.

Kelly climbed into the bed and settled under the covers. "That's OK. We're gonna go to sleep...and you'll forget about it for now."

Marty climbed under the covers and automatically snuggled up close to Kelly. For once it was him who needed the comforting. "Good night...thank you." He whispered, already almost falling asleep right then.

Kelly sighed quietly as she hugged Marty close. It was taking all the strength she had to forget her own problems and be there for Marty...especially when there were so many things she wanted to talk about and figure out with him.

Marty closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He hated that this was happening...especially when he was supposed to be the tough one...and helping Kelly...not being a weight on their relationship.

Kelly settled herself against Marty's body and closed her eyes...knowing that she really needed to try and get some more sleep.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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Lisa sighed quietly...shaking her head as she looked down into the coffee mug she was holding in her hands. "I don't know, Lynn. I shouldn't even be talking to you about this. You don't need to hear about how he hurts your son."

Lynn sighed back and took a sip of her own coffee. "It's old news...how he hurts Justin. I just wish I could understand why he does it."

"So do I. I tried talking to Randy about it today...asking him why. But...he didn't want to hear it. He kept saying he didn't want to talk about it. I just don't understand." Lisa shook her head again. "And I don’t understand why he thinks Justin is rude and disrespectful."

"I personally think it's a pride issue. That now that Justin is famous...he's better then Randy. So, Randy yells and is an asshole because that is the only way he feels like he can be on top."

"And it works...because he makes that poor boy feel like absolute shit," Lisa said sadly.

Lynn nodded her head. "Yeah...I know and it has to stop...but me talking to him never helps. I'm just glad Justin has learned to not take his shit. It hurts him the same but he yells back and doesn't just let him go at it without a fight anymore."

"Honestly...I've seen a lot of their encounters over the years, Lynn...and I think Justin would fight back even harder if it weren't for his brothers," Lisa said...then paused to sip her coffee. "The last thing he'd want to do is have those boys know how little he thinks of their father. He wouldn't want them following in his footsteps and resenting him, too."

Lynn sighed and nodded her head. "I wish I knew what to do to make things better...but in all honesty I think this is something they have to figure out on their own. Maybe you running out on him for the holiday will finally sink into his rock hard skull."

"Maybe. But that's not why I did it. I did it because he was starting to drink...and being an ass...and refusing to let his sons be together."

"He loves you, Lisa...I know he won't let this go too far." Lynn said with a smile.

"Maybe so...but right now I can't be with him, and neither can the boys," Lisa said...looking at Lynn with sad eyes. "Thank you so much for having us here...even though I hate to intrude on your holidays."

"That's nonsense...you aren't intruding...you're family. We have plenty of room." Lynn said smiling more, and reaching across the table to rub the sad woman's hand. "Everything will be okay."

Lisa sighed quietly. "I hope so."

Nick tiptoed into the room and walked over to the fridge and began to look through it.

Lynn looked up and over at Nick, smiling when she saw the young man. "Finding what you're looking for?"

Nick jumped and turned around sheepishly, holding up two bottles of water. "Uh huh...thanks...sorry to interrupt you gals." He said before quickly walking back out of the room.

Lisa chuckled as she watched Nick leave the room. "Nice boy."

Lynn laughed and nodded her head. "Yeah, he's really sweet and good for Justin." She said, thankfully not saying too much because she forgot that Lisa didn't know about Justin and Nick's growing relationship.

Lisa nodded. "Yeah...someone normal."

"Yeah he's really down to earth...and it's surprising considering the life he has had to live."

"I've heard he has no relationship with his parents."

"Yeah...his parents kicked him out of the house when they found out." Lynn said softly, shaking her head. "I don't get how parents could do such a thing.

Lisa looked at Lynn over her mug before taking a sip of her coffee. "Found out...?"

Lynn nodded. "Yes...about him being gay."

"I…," Lisa said...setting her mug down on the table. "I didn't know."

Lynn closed her eyes..."Shit...I forgot he wasn't going to tell you." She whispered, feeling terrible

"Me? Why wouldn't he tell ME? I mean...Justin usually trusts me...I think..."

"I don't know...maybe he will. I just know he wasn't going to tell Randy." Lynn sighed, wondering what Lisa was thinking about Justin now.

Lisa nodded. "Well THAT I can understand. I mean...Randy didn’t take to Nick as it was. I can’t even imagine if he knew he was gay."

Lynn's eyes went wide. "Randy didn't like, Nick? How can he not...that boy is so sweet."

Lisa shrugged. "I don't know. Justin mentioned that he called him weird, and stuff."

"I'm glad you guys came here when you did. Randall was really in a mood, if he's going off on people he doesn't even know!"

Lisa nodded with a sigh. "I know, Lynn. Unfortunately, I'm starting to know that all too well."

Lynn took another sip of her coffee and sighed again. "Just give him some time to cool off...he'll be fine." She said, and deep down she wished she could believe that...but then she thought of her own situation with Randall Timberlake...and she knew she was kidding herself and Lisa.

Lisa managed a smiled. "Yeah...we'll see," she said...not so sure herself. "So...what exactly is it that we're crashing tomorrow?" she asked...trying to steer the conversation toward a more festive subject.

Lynn laughed…"Well things are a little different now that Justin is back. It was just going to be Paul and I opening a few presents and chilling. So, now we'll all just open presents and chill." She said smiling. "It will be fun to watch kids opening presents again."

Lisa chuckled. "Yeah. Justin's truck is chock full of the boys' presents. I managed to sneak them all in there with Nick's help while Justin was helping them get packed. Cuz...you know...Santa's going to have to come HERE tonight."

Lynn chuckled too and nodded her head. "Of course...and I think he still knows how to find the way."

Lisa laughed again. "I'm just lucky I finally convinced the boys to ride with me instead of in 'Justin's awesome truck.'"

"That truck is pretty awesome...Nick almost had a heart attack earlier when Justin said he would get to drive it sometime." Lynn laughed, remembering overhearing the conversation.

Lisa laughed. "Well...they just need to be patient. I'm sure when they're old enough, Justin's going to buy them cars just as nice...if not nicer."

Lynn laughed too. "I'm sure...lucky kids. I was lucky to have this old car that conked out on the freeway in the middle of rush hour."

"I know. Tell me about it. I probably still would if it wasn't for your amazingly generous and selfless son."

Lynn smiled big. "I know...he's pretty great isn't he." She giggled.

"He is, Lynn. You and Paul should be proud...because Lord knows he doesn't get it from Randy."

"He's done pretty good with Jon and Steve." Lynn pointed out, when in reality she wondered what those boys had that Justin didn't have...why they got their father's love and Justin didn't.

Lisa nodded. "Yes...I know...which I'm thankful for, but don't understand," she said with a sad sigh. "Why not Justin?"

Lynn shrugged her shoulders sadly. "I honestly don't know."

Steven walked into the room pouting. "Mom! Jon keeps calling me mean names."

"What? Well...where's Justin?" Lisa asked...knowing that their older brother didn't let the boys get away with things like that.

Steven shrugged his shoulders. "The bathroom? I dunno."

"OK...well he'll be right back, then. Go back in there and be good. And tell Jonathan I said to stop."

Steven continued to pout as he walked back into the family room. Then you could hear him yelling at Jonathan that..."Mom said for you to stop."

Lynn laughed and picked up her mug again taking a sip. "They are sweet boys."

Lisa smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I hope they turn out just like their big brother."

*****@*****

Justin came back from the bathroom just in time to hear Steven yelling at Jon. "Hey, hey, hey...what's goin on?"

"He keeps calling me snot head and booger face!" Steven exclaimed as he glared at his brother.

Nick sat on the end of the couch, looking back and forth between the guys. Not sure what to say or do.

glared at Jonathan*

Justin sighed and shook his head. "Boys...boys. Don’t you know by now how dumb it is to act up on Christmas Eve? I mean...HELLO! Santa's like...on his way."

"Which means he wouldn't turn back around...would cause too much time in back tracking." Jon smirked.

Nick had to bust up laughing from where he was sitting...that was a good one.

Justin shook his head again. "No way...he'll skip right by this house if ya'll don't shape up."

That got Jonathan to shut up and turn back to watching Muppet's Christmas Carol.

Steven giggled and went to sit in his own chair, turning back to the movie.

Justin looked at Nick and gave him a wink...to show that he had things on lock.

Nick laughed and turned back to the move himself. This had always been one of his favorite Christmas movies.

Justin sat on the couch to enjoy the rest of the movie...occasionally looking at his brothers to make sure they were behaving. Just as he'd expected, they remained quiet and calm throughout the movie.

Nick kept glancing at Justin every once and a while when they watched the movie. It had been a while since they had watched a movie together and weren't able to cuddle, and he really missed that. Sighing, he turned back to look at the big screen TV.

By the time the movie ended, it was just after nine o'clock. Justin stood up and stretched his arms high above his head. "OK, guys. I think it's time to start getting ready for bed if we want Santa to come. What do YOU think, Nick?"

Nick smiled and nodded his head. "Yup...I personally want to make sure I'm all snuggly in bed in time so Santa doesn't pass me up." He giggled.

Steven pouted and shook his head. "But I'm not tired." He said with a yawn.

Justin laughed as he turned off the television. "Sure you're not, buddy."

"Yeah...well Steve can go to bed...I'm older then him I don't have to." Jon said sticking his tongue out at Steven quickly but just as quickly as it came out it went back in, looking at Justin sheepishly.

Justin widened his eyes at Jonathan. "He's watching."

"You make Santa sound like God." Nick whispered in Justin's ear as he walked past him to grab the empty water bottles and popcorn bowls.

Jon got a scared look on his face and quickly grabbed his brother's hand before leading him upstairs to where they were staying.

"Hey...get back here," Justin called after his brothers as they headed up the stairs.

They stopped in the middle of the stairs case and turned back around. "Yeah?" They said at the same time and then giggled.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Both boys thought for a second before running back downstairs and practically attacking Justin. "Good Night...Love you."

Justin laughed. "Well...this is great...but it's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?" Jon asked, confused.

"The cookies and milk?"

"Akkk! Steve screamed and ran out of the room like crazy and into the kitchen. "MOMMY!"

Jon quickly ran after Steven in search for cookies and milk.

Lisa looked to her boys from her seat at the table. "What on earth has you two going crazy?"

"We need milk and cookies for Santa!" Steven exclaimed.

Justin laughed as he followed the kids into the kitchen. "They forgot!" he said with nock shock.

"Don't forget the carrot for the reindeer." Jon added.

Lynn laughed and got up from the chair. "Well...you're lucky that we got Justin away from the cookies fast enough today...cuz I think he would have eaten them all."

Justin groaned. "Don't remind me," he said...going to get a plate and a glass out of the cupboard for the cookies and milk.

Nick just stood in the doorway busting up laughing.

Lynn got a two cookies out of a box and handed each of the boys one of them so they could place it on the plate. Once they did she walked to the fridge she grabbed the milk and a carrot. "Jon, you can pour the milk...Steve why don't you put the carrot some place special on the plate."

Both boys went about doing their jobs. Once they were done Jon looked at Justin. "Where should we put this so Santa will find it?"

Lisa smiled as she watched Lynn interact with her boys. She was so lucky to have the relationship with that woman that she did...strange as it might be.

"Hmm...I think you should put it in the living room...on the coffee table...so it's near the Christmas tree," Justin said...then looked at Nick. "Wanna go help them?"

Nick nodded. "Sure, come on guy's let's go find that perfect spot."

Steven carried the plate while Jon carried the milk and all three of them walked into the living room.

Once they were alone, Justin looked back and forth between his mother and step mother. "Everything OK?"

Lynn nodded as she put the milk away in the fridge. "Yeah...everything is fine. "

Justin sighed quietly and looked at Lisa. "Lisa...I'm sorry about what happened today. I never meant to ruin your Christmas."

Lisa shook her head. "Oh please, honey. Don't even think that. You have no control over what your father says or does, so don't you dare blame yourself."

Lynn nodded her head. "Exactly, sweetheart...this is not your fault. You didn't ruin anything."

"Well...I'm glad you're here...and not at home being miserable, at least," Justin said to Lisa...then turned to Lynn. "Mom...thanks so much for having them here."

Lynn smiled big. "I'm glad they are here...I was just telling Lisa it's nice to have little kids around at Christmas again. Plus, I mean we have the room, especially since Nick is staying in your house with you."

"Well...I was actually thinking of having the boys stay with me, too. I mean...they were fighting all day over who got to sleep with me, and my bed is big enough that all three of us can sleep together...so..."

Lynn raised an eyebrow at Justin but shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay with me...but then again I'm not their mother." She said with a smile as she turned to look at Lisa.

Lisa smiled as she got up to clear the coffee mugs and dessert plates from the table. "I think it's a great idea. They'll be thrilled."

Nick walked into the room smiling. "They boys are upstairs taking showers."

Justin widened his eyes as he leaned back against the counter. "Wow...you got them to bathe? You're good."

Lisa laughed from where she was putting the dishes in the dishwasher. "They must like you."

Nick laughed and shrugged. "I didn't even really say anything...they just went."

Justin chuckled. "I'm gonna go over and make my bed...then I'll come back and get them," he said...stepping away from the counter.

"I'll come with you." Nick said, walking to the back door.

"OK," Justin said...leading Nick out the door and into the back yard.

Nick shoved his hands into his pockets as he followed Justin across the yard to his house. He didn't say anything, just walked silently.

Justin looked over at Nick as they walked...wondering why he was so quiet. "You OK?" he asked...opening his front door and stepping inside.

"Yeah...I'm fine." Nick said with a smile as he walked into the house.

"Are you sure? You're awfully quiet," Justin said...slowly making his way to his bedroom.

"Yeah...I'm cool." Nick said following Justin into the room. "Can I hug you?" He asked out of the blue, almost not noticing he said it out loud.

Justin stopped in the middle of his room and turned to Nick. "Sure," he said with a smile.

Nick smiled big and walked to Justin, wrapping him tightly in his arms. "I've wanted to do that since we left for your father's.." He whispered in Justin's ear.

Justin wrapped his arms around Nick...burrowing his face into the crook of his neck. "Why?"

"Just miss holding you." Nick answered honestly, still holding Justin tightly.

Justin smiled into Nick's neck. "Yeah...feels nice."

"It's harder then I thought...being not out in public and not being able to touch you. I understand when we're in public...but being in a house with family...It's kinda hard." Nick mumbled against Justin's neck, not wanting to let him go.

"I know," Justin admitted...wrapping his arms around Nick a little tighter...just enjoying the feeling of being held. "...but I'm thinking...since we're not with my father...I might tell at least Lisa tomorrow...and maybe the boys if she thinks I should."

Nick pulled back enough so he could look into Justin's eyes. "What are you going to tell her." He whispered, wondering where they still stood...what was he too Justin. Are they still just friends with benefits or was it more then that?

Justin shrugged...looking back at Nick. "I don't know...that I'm bisexual, first and foremost."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Probably a good place to start," He said, still looking into Justin's eyes.

Justin smiled and nodded. "Yeah...probably."

Nick took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second before opening them again. "Justin...what are we?" He asked softly, biting his bottom lip.

Justin looked at Nick curiously. "What do you mean?"

Nick shook his head and looked over Justin's shoulder. "Never mind."

"No...tell me," Justin said...reaching up to take Nick's face in his hands and turning it to make the older man look at him.

"I...I feel like w...we've gotten closer then friends now...but...I don't know...how you feel." Nick stammered.

Justin sighed quietly. "I don't know how I feel, either."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay." He said quietly, still holding onto Justin tightly.

"I mean...I know that I have feelings for you, but you know that, too."

Nick smiled a little and nodded his head. "I do...I know that."

"But...if you're asking me if we're like...together...I don't think I can answer that. Cuz...I mean...I don't think I'm ready to take that whole boyfriend step, yet."

Nick thought about that for a second and nodded his head. "I understand...and that's okay." He said with a smile, moving back so he could rest his head on Justin's shoulder again.

"I hope you're not mad," Justin said quietly.

Nick pulled back to look at Justin again and shook his head. "No...of course not."

"Be honest," Justin said...his blue eyes searching for truth and assurance.

"I am being very honest." Nick responded, looking Justin right in the eyes to try and show how he was being truthful.

Justin smiled. "OK...good."

"That would be a pretty sucky thing for me to be mad about." Nick said with a smile. Then he thought of something. "When should I have you open the present I have for you?"

Justin shrugged. "Whenever you want, I guess. But...you didn't have to get me anything. I wasn't expecting anything."

Nick smiled and shrugged back. "I know you weren't but I wanted to...and I kinda wana give it to you without anybody else around."

Justin smiled. "OK, then...whenever you want."

"Better do it right now...since we're going to have the crazy people sleeping here with us tonight." Nick giggled as he pulled back and went to search through his bag for the gift.

Justin laughed, and went about making up his messy bed while Nick went for the gift.

Finding it, Nick walked back to where Justin was making the bed. "Why are you making the bed...when people are just going to be sleeping in it in a matter of minutes?" He giggled.

Justin shrugged. "I don't know...to make it look nice, I guess," he said with a chuckle...sitting down on the newly-made bed.

"Aww...my friend the neat freak." Nick joked as he sat down on the bed and handed the small wrapped box to Justin, biting his bottom lip. "I didn't know what to get you...so I just kinda umm...guessed."

Justin had a smile on his face as he tore the paper off the box. "I'm sure it's nice...whatever it is."

Nick watched Justin closely, biting his bottom lip the whole time. He was nervous because he didn't know if Justin would like it or not.

Justin opened the box, and his smile grew when he saw the beautiful silver pen...engraved with 'Snow, Angel, Emotions, Me.' He took it out of the box and studied it for a moment. "Nick...it's beautiful. What's it mean?" he asked...rereading the inscription.

Nick continued to bite his bottom lip for a minute and took a deep breath. "Well...snow is what brought us together...Angel is well you...cuz you got me out of the dead end life I was living...Emotions is what we've been feeling the last few weeks...and well Me...is Me." He giggled nervously.

Justin laughed quietly with Nick. "Thank you. I live it," he said as he put the pen back in the box. He then leaned over and gave Nick a tender kiss on the lips.

Nick smiled big against the kiss and pulled back. "Wait...there is something else." Even more nervous then before he dug into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to Justin. "You read that while I go hide." He said moving to get off the bed.

Justin watched Nick walk away, then leaned over to put the pen box on the nightstand before he started reading the paper.

An Angel walked into my bar,

On a snowy day in the dark.

I Never knew it could get this far,

But never doubt my emotions started that day in the park.

Seeing him there in the snow,

I never knew how far our relationship would go.

All I knew was he made my day,

Made all the pain go away.

The Angel's always there when I need a friend,

I have a feeling he'll be there 'til the end.

I can never wait to see his face,

Knowing I would die if he would leave without a trace.

I Never thought he would feel the same,

All that mattered was that he remembered my name.

Being in his arms is what I looked forward to,

That thought alone makes my heart skips a beat or two.

His smile is what I look for each day,

Hopefully, it's because of what I say.

Even though we've only know each other for a week,

His pout has the power to make my knees go weak.

I want to be with him forever,

Him and I, together.

Our lives are so different though,

So I know it just can't be so.

You are my Snow Angel with eyes so blue

There's nothing else I can say to you,

Other than, with all my heart I thank you.

Nick went into the living room and sat down on the couch, his head in his hands as he waited to hear Justin start to bust up laughing at him.

Justin read the poem Nick had written...his heart ending up in his throat by the time he'd finished. He took some time to read it again...wanting to make sure all the words he'd seen on the paper were actually there.

Nick continued to just sit on the couch with his face in his hands, praying that Justin wouldn't hate him...that he hadn't said too much or that it was too stupid to even give.

Justin's eyes were glossed over with tears by the time he'd finished the poem a second time. By the looks of it, it had been written for a while...a week or so. If Nick's feelings were that strong a week after they met, Justin couldn't even imagine what they were by this point.

Nick wasn't sure if he liked the silence that was coming from the bedroom. If Justin was angry he wish he would just scream and yell at him.

Justin sniffled as he stood up...folding the poem and shoving it into his back pocket. What Nick had written had awakened so many emotions in him...made him aware of so many feelings. Those emotions and feelings were things he was terrified to face...but knew he had to...for himself and for Nick. After wiping his eyes, he slowly walked out into the living room.

Worried tears were falling from Nick's eyes as continued to stare at the floor. He was so busy with his own thoughts he didn't hear Justin walk into the room.

"Hey..." Justin said quietly when he stopped a few feet away from the couch...not wanting to frighten Nick.

Nick looked up at Justin, and quickly tried to wipe his tears away. "Hey..."

Justin smiled. "Thank you. It's...beautiful."

"R...really?" Nick asked softly, not sure if he believed Justin or not.

Justin nodded slowly. "Yeah. I mean...I had...no idea."

Nick looked at Justin slightly confused. "No idea about what?"

"Your feelings. I mean...I knew...but...I didn't..."

"I...I'm sorry...if it bothers you." Nick said, looking back down at his lap...like always, he assumed the worst.

"Nick...no...not at all. In fact...it kinda made me...realize...a few things."

Nick looked back up at Justin, not sure what he was saying. "What do you mean?"

Justin took a long, deep breath. "I mean...that maybe...I don't know...maybe I'm going too quick with this...but...can I change my mind about the whole boyfriend thing?"

Nick's eyes went wide and a small smile came across his face. "Really?"

Justin nodded...smiling a bit himself. "Yeah...I mean...I think so, anyway."

Nick's smile got a little bigger and he let out a deep breath he didn't know he had been holding. "God...I thought you were going to laugh at me."

"What? Why would I laugh at you?"

"I suck at writing poems...that thing sucked."

"Are you kidding? Nick...it was amazing."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious. It was beautiful. I mean...it melted my heart."

Nick couldn't help but blush bright red and look down at his lap embarrassed at the huge compliment. "Thank you." He whispered

"No...Thank YOU."

Taking a deep breath, Nick looked back up at Justin with a big smile on his face. "So...you're my boyfriend?"

Justin took a deep breath. "Is it too soon?"

After thinking for a second Nick shook his head. "I don't think so...but I'm not the one who is still so new to his feelings. I mean I've never had a boyfriend either...but it's still a little different."

Mista13181JT says:

"I know...that's true," Justin said thoughtfully. "Well...I mean...just because we're together...that just means that we wouldn't be dating anyone else. It wouldn't mean that we'd have to move any faster...or that we'd have to have sex." Justin's eyes narrowed when he suddenly felt panicked. "Does it?"

Seeing Justin's eyes, Nick shook his head like crazy. "No...of course not...we'll still move slowly...we NEED to move slowly."

"Maybe *I* do...but that doesn't mean YOU do."

"Why would it just be you who has to move slowly? The only thing I have up on you is the fact that I've had with a guy before. I've never been in a relationship that lasted more then a week. I don't know what it's like to do that with somebody I care for." Nick said with a smile.

Justin smiled. "Yeah...I guess that's true."

"I may be a horny idiot...but that doesn't mean I don't know how to wait for the right time for things."

Justin chuckled. "I know that."

Nick smiled and patted the seat next to him. "Come here."

Justin went to the couch, and took a deep breath as he sat beside Nick.

Nick put a gentle hand on Justin's back and rubbed it. "I'm not going to bite...I'm still the same person...just with a different title." He giggled.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...I know...I'm just trying to take everything in," he said...bringing a hand up to rub his head.

Nick smiled and continued to rub Justin's back. "I know...It's a lot to take in...my heart is pounding a mile a minute right now." He admitted.

"But you seem so calm."

"It may seem that way, but I'm not. I don't know if I'm a good boyfriend or not...I don't know a lot of things...and it scares the shit out of me." Nick said with a smile. "But...I also know one thing...and that I'm happy to be trying this with you...even if I am freaking out."

Justin had to laugh a bit. "Yeah...I'm happy, too."

"Just when we figure this out...we get to have the munchkins come stay with us." Nick giggled, to show he wasn't nessicarly upset about it...just really wanted to cuddle with Justin...and now he couldn't for as long as he wanted.

"That's OK...it's just for tonight. I HAVE to be with them tonight," Justin said...feeling as though he needed to explain things to Nick.

Nick smiled and nodded his head. "I totally understand Justin...and I didn't say I didn't want them here."

"I know...I just want you to understand."

"And I do...and we'll have fun...slumber party time." Nick giggled.

Justin shook his head as he got up. "No way...they're going right to bed," he said...yawning himself.

Nick pouted playfully. "Aww...you are no fun."

"Maybe another night before we leave," Justin said...scratching his head.

"Yeah...that would be cool." Nick said getting up too. "Ready to go get them?" He asked, taking Justin's hand that wasn't scratching his head. Wondering if Justin would let him hold his hand in front of his family...or if he was asking too much. Either way he wasn't going to be upset...he just wanted to see what he could, and could not do at this point.

"Oh...wait," Justin said all of a sudden. "What about YOUR gift?"

Nick's eyes went wide. "Mine?"

"Yeah...like...MY gift for YOU."

Nick's eyes went wide. "You got ME a gift? After all you've already done for me...you shouldn't have." He said in shock but was giddy too.

"Well...yes and no. I mean...I haven't exactly gotten anything YET."

"Okay...now you are really confusing me." Nick giggled.

Justin took a deep breath. "OK...well...as one of your gifts...I want to invite you to come to Europe with me...when I tour...starting in a couple weeks."

Nick started at Justin, his eyes blinking like crazy. "You want me to come with you...to Europe!" He exclaimed.

Justin nodded. "I mean...only if you want to. It's for like...three weeks...and it's mostly in London...so I don't know exciting it's going to be..."

"Are you crazy...of COURSE I'll go with you" Nick giggled, wrapping his arms around Justin tightly. Once he was attached to Justin like a leech he thought of something. "Did you say ONE of my gifts?" He mumbled against Justin's neck.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...there's something else."

"You gota be kidding me." Nick said, still talking into Justin's neck...not planning on moving any time soon.

"No. I wanna take you to this jewelry shop in town. It's tiny and family owned...and they have amazing stuff. They take good care of me there. And well...I wanna buy you something nice. But since I don't know what you like for jewelry, I want YOU to pick it out. I know it's not very personal...but..."

Nick pulled back enough to look at Justin his eyes wide again. "Wow...I don't know what to say...besides thank you." He said before once again resting his head back down and holding on tight.

Justin smiled. "You're welcome."

"Okay...now you've done it...I'm never letting go again." Nick laughed.

Justin chuckled quietly. "You have to."

"Nut uh...no I don't." Nick giggled, squeezing Justin tighter.

Justin made a fake chocking sound. "You're gonna kill me."

"Eh...I wouldn't miss you too much." Nick joked, loosening his grip just a little, but still not letting Justin go.

Justin laughed...prying himself free from Nick's arms. "OK...I need to go get the boys."

Nick pouted playfully, but pulled back and sighed. "Oh...okay fine!"

Justin chuckled and kissed Nick's lips quickly. "You can wait here...get ready for bed if you want. I'll be right back."

Nick smiled big and nodded. "Okay...I'll be here."

"OK." Justin kissed Nick one more time before heading out the door and jogging across the yard to the house. He walked into the kitchen and smiled at his mother. "What are ya doin, mama?"

Lynn quickly hid what she was doing and smiled sheepishly. "Writing in Christmas cards."

Justin chuckled. "Oh. Where's Lisa...and the boys?"

"Upstairs getting their pajama's on I think." Lynn said with a smile. "Honey, Why don't you sit down for a second...I want to talk to you."

Justin's face fell as he walked over to the table and sat down across from his mother. "Is something wrong?"

Lynn shook her head. "No...nothing is wrong...I just wanted to ask you how you're doing...with everything." She asked, knowing Justin would understand what she meant.

Justin relaxed back in his chair. "You mean...with Randy?"

Lynn nodded. "Yeah...that and with the whole finding out you think you may be Bisexual...we haven't really talked much about it since you told me."

"Yeah...well...believe it or not, the bisexual thing is the easiest thing right now, I think," Justin said...picking up some of the blank cards and looking at them.

Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" She knew she was pushing for information...but she was interested to know what was going on with her son and the young blonde man staying with him.

Justin took a deep breath. "Yeah. Look at this," he said...lifting his butt off the chair to take the poem out of his back pocket...then handing it to his mother.

Taking the paper from Justin, she looked down and started to read the poem, after getting only half way through there were tears in her eyes. "Wow...did Nick write this?" she asked, in awe.

Justin nodded. "Yeah," he answered...watching his mother as she read the poem.

After finishing the open Lynn looked up at Justin as a single tear feel down her cheek. "That boy really cares for you."

Justin gave his mother a small smile. "Yes...I know."

Lynn folded the paper back up and handed it back to Justin. "You're smiling...so that has to mean that you are happy about how he feels?"

Justin's smile widened a bit. "Yeah...I am...and I never really realized it until I read this. It made me realize a lot about how *I* feel, too."

"Which is?" Lynn asked with a big smile. She loved to see her son happy...it made her happy.

Justin shrugged a bit. "I don't know, completely. I just know whatever my feelings are, they're getting stronger every day."

Lynn smiled more. "He's a good guy, Justin...I really like him...you've definitely got my approval."

Justin smiled brightly. "That's very good to know."

Lisa stepped into the kitchen at that moment...a small smile on her face. "Umm...sorry to interrupt."

Lynn looked up at Lisa and smiled. "It's alright." She then looked back at Justin...her eyes telling him that he should tell Lisa about what was going in.

Justin looked up at Lisa blankly...not sure where to start.

Lisa smiled at her step son warmly. "You don't have to say anything, Justin. I think I overheard just enough on my way down the hall to figure out what's going on."

Justin let out a breath of relief he hadn't realized he'd been holding in.

Lynn laughed. "Don't sound so relieved, sweetheart." She teased.

Justin chuckled. "I just...I don't know...I came into all this not knowing how any of you would react."

Lisa walked over to Justin and kissed the top of his head before going to the fridge for some water. "Honey...if you're happy, then I'm happy for you."

"My thought's exactly." Lynn smiled. "So, where are the boys?" She asked Lisa.

"Brushing their teeth...then they'll be down."

Just then both Jon and Steve came running into the kitchen, sliding on the kitchen floor in stocking feet. Each had a stuffed animal and a blanket in their hand. "We're ready!" They said together.

Justin laughed and got up from his seat. "OK. Can I have one of these?" he asked his mother...picking up one of the blank cards.

"Sure, sweetheart." Lynn said with a smile. "I don't need those anyway."

"Thanks," Justin said...then kissed his mother's cheek before walking over to Lisa and doing the same. "Goodnight, ladies. See you bright and early for Santa."

Lisa chuckled...then bent down to kiss her two boys. "Goodnight boys. You three behave."

Paul walked into the kitchen and laughed. "Oh, goody...looks like I'm just in time for the slumber party," he said...dropping his last-minute shopping bags by the kitchen door. He'd been shopping since the second they finished dinner.

Lynn laughed at her husband. "It's going to be you and the girls tonight, honey...all the guys are going over to Justin's." She smirked.

Paul laughed again. "Super. Sounds fun."

Justin chuckled...lifting Steven up into his arms. "Goodnight, dad. Get to bed so you can get up bright and early."

"Night, Night Paul." Steven said waving at the man as he clung to Justin's neck.

"Yeah...goodnight everybody." Jon waved as he opened the sliding class door and walked out into the cool December night.

"Goodnight guys....Justin you and Nick keep an eye on them." Lynn said, getting all parental.

"Yes, mother," Justin said with a dramatic eye roll as they headed out the door. "Jon...stay on the walk...the grass is damp and you have no shoes on."

Lisa laughed. "I don’t worry a bit when they're with him."

Hearing Justin, Lynn laughed. "Neither do I...He's going to make a great father some day."

Jon did what his brother said and walked on the side walk all the way to Justin's house. "You're friend Nick still in the house?"

"Yeah...that OK?"

"Yeah...he's cool." Jon smiled.

Steven nodded his head in agreement. "Yup…he's cool."

Justin laughed as he opened the door to his place. "Yes...he is."

Nick already had his bed set up and was sitting up, just finishing up a phone call with Aaron when he heard Justin and the boys come in. He smiled big and waved. "Hey guys."

"Hello," Justin replied as he locked the door...Steven still in his arms.

"You make him sleep on the pull out sofa bed?" Jon asked looking up at Justin, laughing.

Steven was already close to falling asleep in Justin's arms. His head starting to bob as he tried to stay awake but was failing miserably.

Justin laughed as he walked into the room. "Jeez, Jon...that's a first-class sofa mattress. He's fine."

"Yeah...he's fine." Nick laughed as he got up to go plug his cell phone in and charge it. As he bent down his baggy sweats fell down half way.

Jon laughed and shrugged. "Okay...whatever but you're bed is better." He said as he walked into Justin's room.

Justin laughed. "OK...let's go to bed, then," he said...then turned to Nick...his baby brother still in his arms. "Goodnight, Nick. We'll see you bright and early in the morning."

Nick nodded. "Goodnight, Justin." He said out loud but then mouthed. 'Get them to sleep and come say goodnight to me again.' He didn't want to do anything weird...just wanted his goodnight kiss that he was getting used to having.

Justin smirked as he carried Steven into his room behind Jon. "OK, kids...time to get in bed. We have to hurry up...we're cuttin it close," he said...finally setting Steven down on the edge of the bed before going into the bathroom to change into his pajama pants and t-shirt.

Steven didn't say anything in his half asleep state but instead just climbed to the top of the bed and crawled under the covers. Once his head hit the pillow he was out.

Jon laughed and shook his head at his little brother. "You are a wimp."

Justin laughed as he walked through the bedroom. "Get in bed and save me a spot. I'll be right back," he said...then went out into the living room.

Nick was lying down in bed, getting snuggly under the covers. He had his eyes shut and yawning loudly when Justin walked in so he didn't even notice.

Justin laughed as he approached Nick's bed. "You're worse than Steven."

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled big. "Worse than Steven how?"

"All tired and yawning and shit."

"I'm not really all that tired...but everybody is going to sleep...so I will too," Nick laughed.

"Yeah...long day tomorrow," Justin said...then leaned down and gave Nick a soft kiss on the lips.

Nick whimpered softly against the kiss, but let it light and soft...not sure how into it Justin wanted to go with Jon and Steve in the other room.

Justin nipped at Nick's lips a couple of times before leaning back up and smiling down at him. "Goodnight," he said in a near-whisper.

Seeing Justin stand up, Jon, quickly ran from the bedroom door and hopped into bed.

"Goodnight...don't let the bed bugs bite." Nick said with a smile. "See you in the morning."

Justin laughed, then headed for his room...shutting the lights on his way. When he got into his room, he put the nightlight in the bathroom on incase one of the boys got up during the night, then turned off the bedroom lights and went over to the bed.

As Justin climbed into bed, Jon couldn't just lie there and pretend he hadn't seen anything. "Justin...is Nick your boyfriend?" He whispered, not sounding disgusted or shocked really...just asking a question like he was taking about one of Justin's girlfriends.

Justin froze in his spot as soon as he settled between his two brothers. "What?"

"Is Nick your boyfriend?" Jon repeated, turning so he was facing Justin in bed.

Justin swallowed hard...taking a look to his other side to make sure Steven was asleep before looking back at Jon. "Why are you asking me that?"

"I saw you kissing him." Jon said simply, still talking as if it wasn't a big deal.

"You did?"

Jon nodded his head. "Yeah...just a few minutes ago."

"Oh. Umm...and what did you think...of that?"

Jon shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...I don't really care...I've seen guys kiss on TV before."

Justin chuckled softly. "Yeah...I'm sure you have."

"You never answered my question though."

"Oh. Umm...yeah, Jon...Nick IS my boyfriend now."

Jon smiled. "Okay, cool...I like him."

"Really? Well...I mean...I KNOW you like him...but...you don't care that I...like guys?"

Jon shrugged his shoulders. "It's a little weird I guess...but you're still my brother on matter if you like girls or guys."

Justin smiled and kissed his brother's head. "Thanks, buddy."

Jon yawned and snuggled under the covers a little more. "We didn't kick Nick out of his spot in bed right?" He asked, feeling bad if that was the case.

Justin laughed. "No, Jon. He's been sleeping out there."

"Okay good." Jon mumbled, as he started to drift into dream land.

"Hey Jon...I know you're old enough to understand why, and all...so please...keep this a secret, OK?"

Jon nodded his head. "I will..." He paused and thought for a second. "Does anybody else in the family know?"

"My mom and dad...and your mother."

"Okay...I won't say anything...I promise."

"Thanks, Jon. Goodnight."

"Night, Night, Justin." Jon whispered before falling asleep.

AUTHORS NOTE: Hey guys…Steph here…and I just wanted to quickly say that the poem Nick gave to Justin wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for my good friend Lalig. We wrote it together…so it’s just as much hers as it is mine. Thanks girl! *hugs*.

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Kelly groaned quietly as she came out of her sleep...feeling well-rested for the first time in days. She carefully sat up in bed...not wanting to wake Marty...and stretched a bit before getting up and sliding her feet into her slippers. She let out a quiet yawn as she made her way into the bathroom...gently closing the door behind her.

Marty opened his eyes when he felt Kelly get out of bed. He had been awake for about forty five minutes and had been watching her sleep.

Kelly used the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then threw her hair up into a messy bun before washing her face. After drying her face off with a towel, she opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom. She smiled when she saw Marty laying in bed with his eyes open. "You're awake?"

"Yup, I'm awake." Marty said with a smile as he stretched his arms over his head. "Morning."

"Good morning," Kelly replied...then went over to the bed and climbed on top of Marty...straddling his hips as he stretched. "Merry Christmas," she added with a soft giggle.

Marty laughed as he brought his arms down, and put his hands on Kelly's hips. "Merry Christmas to you too...did you sleep well?"

Kelly nodded as she leaned down to give Marty a feathery light kiss on his lips. "Very well. I feel great," she answered...sitting back up. "What about you?" she asked...concern in her eyes.

"I slept fine." Marty said with a smile. "You actually slept longer then *I* did."

"Well...you've been sleeping a lot lately...so I guess your body just didn't need any more sleep."

Marty shrugged. "Yeah, you're probably right." Turning his head to the left he looked over at the clock to see it was a little after eight in the morning. "We've got about an hour before everybody is going to start showing up...what do you wana do?" He asked with a big smile on his face.

Kelly shrugged...taking Marty's hands in hers and lacing their fingers together. "I don't know. Do we stay in our PJs to open presents...or do we need to shower and stuff now?"

"We can stay in our PJs...cuz my sisters all bring the kids in their PJs...but you can change if you want to." Marty said with a shrug. "But I think I should actually put PJs on." He giggled, looking down at his bare chest.

Kelly giggled herself...leaning down to place a few soft kisses on Marty's upper chest. "No need for that just yet."

"Oh yeah?" Marty giggled at the ticklish feeling of hte kisses.

Kelly laughed quietly...leaning down on Marty and burying her face in his neck. "Yeah. You feel good. Your skin's warm."

"I've been all snuggly under the blankets all night...I should be warm." Marty giggled, not going to mention how he felt warmer then he should...even a little feverish. He wasn't going to ruin Christmas. He would act perfectly normal even if he felt nothing but.

"Ya know...despite the sucky parts of yesterday...this is still the best Christmas I've had since my mom died."

"Really?" Marty asked, not able to hide the shock in his voice.

Kelly just nodded against Marty's neck...her fingers still playing with his.

"I'm glad it has been...it's been a pretty special Christmas for me too. " Marty whispered against Kelly's hair as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Why? You're always with your family like this."

"True...but this is the first Christmas I've had somebody special to spend it with." Marty said with a big smile.

Kelly smiled. "Yeah...me too."

"I'm really happy you decided to come here with me...instead of going to Justin's." Marty giggled.

"I decided not to go to Justin's before you even ASKED me."

Marty nodded. "I know...but I'm sure he would of let you go even if you had changed your mind at the last minute."

"Well...it doesn't matter...cuz there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now."

Marty smiled big. "Good to know you would rather be with me then your ex boyfriend," He teased.

Kelly chuckled. "I'd rather be with you than anyone."

"Better not tell Justin that...he might get sad." Marty giggled. "But I'm glad to hear you say that."

Kelly lifted her head to look down into Marty's eyes. "Justin wouldn't get sad, Marty. He doesn’t want me, anymore."

Marty shook his head. "I meant in a friend way, Kel...he still wants you as a friend...and plus how do you know he doesn't want you anymore?"

Kelly shrugged. "I DON'T know, I guess. I just assumed...cuz he's got Nick..."

"Maybe he's found out he hates Nick's guts." Marty said with a shrug.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt that. They're both so smitten with each other."

Marty couldn't help but laugh. "Good point...guess we'll just have to wait and see when we call them later today."

Kelly nodded. "Besides...why does it even matter if he wants me, or not? I'm spoken for now."

"It doesn't matter...I'm just being nosey and curious." Marty laughed.

Kelly laughed. "Go right ahead. I have nothing to hide. Besides...didn't I recently tell you that you don't ask me enough questions?"

"Yeah...you did say that...but I'm not sure what to ask...because I already feel like I know your life story at least from the last 5 years...I mean we've been together almost 24-7 in that time."

Kelly shrugged. "Yeah...I guess that's true," she said...leaning back up to sit up over Marty again.

"You know you look really hot, straddling me like this." Marty giggled, looking up at Kelly.

Kelly looked down at Marty questioningly. "Hot? Please. I'm wearing pajamas and my hair is SO a mess."

Marty shrugged his shoulders as he made a point to let his eyes look Kelly up and down. "I think you look really hot."

Kelly laughed as she let go of one of Marty's hands to reach up and scratch an itch under the tank top strap on her right shoulder. "Must be these PJs you bought me," she said...taking his hand again.

Marty giggled. "They ARE from Victoria's Secret." He pointed out.

Kelly looked down at the baggy, white, flannel snowflake pajamas covering her legs. "Yeah...but they're not...like...sexy lingerie."

"Yeah...what a shame." Marty pouted playfully.

Kelly pouted a bit. "Hey...I like em."

"I do too, baby...I helped you pick them out...member?"

Kelly got a quick flutter in her stomach when she heard Marty call her 'baby.' "I know you did," she said with a smile. "And who knows? Maybe next time we go to the mall, I'll let you help me pick out something a little sexier."

"Sexier then flannel...who would of thought!" Marty joked, a big smile on his face.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Shut up."

Marty laughed, the huge smile still on his face. "Hey...that isn't very nice, little girl." He said as he slipped his hands up under the sides of her tank top and started to run his fingers across her skin.

Kelly arched an eyebrow as she rested her hands on Marty's bare sides. "Who you callin a little girl?"

Marty smirked as his hands moved to rest on Kelly's tummy under her shirt. "You."

Kelly shivered a bit at the ticklish feeling of Marty's fingers on her skin. "Just cuz I'm SO much younger than you...that does NOT mean I'm a little girl."

"Point taken." Marty laughed, as he moved his hands up a little higher, his finger tips brushing against the bottom of one of her breasts unintentionally.

Kelly sucked in a quick breath of air when she felt Marty's fingers on the edge of her breast. "Right. YOU may be old...but I'm no little girl."

"Hey now...I ain't old!" Marty exclaimed, a mock hurt look on his face. His fingers gently moving back and forth against the edge of her breast.

Kelly chuckled. "I know...I'm just playing with you."

"Good." Marty said with a playful pout.

Kelly brought her hands up to Marty's arms, and trailed her fingers lightly over the skin. "This is perfect. Being here with you...like this."

Marty smirked and giggled, for the first time figuring out what exactly his fingers were doing...so he just kept it up, maybe moving his fingers a little more...since Kelly didn't seem to mind. "Yeah...let's just stay in bed all day."

"We can't. It's Christmas," Kelly said with a smile. "Any other day...I just might agree."

"Okay...but can we stay in here and make out...for another forty-five minutes?" Marty asked with puppy dog eyes.

Kelly laughed. "Make out for forty-five minutes?"

Marty nodded his head, smiling big. "Uh huh."

Kelly put a look of mock shock on her face. "I'm surprised at you. We've never done more than just kiss a little here and there."

"We were going to have sex...before you found the pills yesterday." Marty pointed out, but the smiled. "Which I'm glad you found...cuz I think that was an answer to prayer...even though it was inconvenient because of the whole gunna have sex...and then not having sex...thing." He joked.

Kelly smiled. "Yeah. Jeez...I don't know what I was thinking," she said with a chuckle.

"That I'm hot and sexy and turn you on beyond belief?" Marty smiled, his fingers moving up a little so they were touching more of Kelly's breast.

Kelly took a deep breath and closed her eyes...trying not to let the feeling of Marty's hand on her overwhelm her. "Umm...well...I never really thought about it."

"Ahh...okay." Marty smirked a little as he let his hand go to work...wondering what Kelly would do.

Kelly swallowed hard and dropped her head back a bit. "That feels good," she said in a throaty whisper.

Getting daring, Marty moved his right hand so it was cupping Kelly's left breast and started to kneed it, his fingers moving over the nipple. His eyes on Kelly's face the whole time, trying to read her.

"Oh God," Kelly breathed out...feeling her nipple harden almost immediately. She lifted her head and opened her eyes to look down into Marty's as her hands rested down on his sides again.

Marty smiled at Kelly's reaction...it had definitely been good. As he continued to do what he had been doing he also leaned forward and captured Kelly's mouth for a heated kiss. His tongue moving in her mouth in time with his fingers moving against her breast and nipple.

Kelly groaned into the kiss as she returned it. When she pulled back, she sat back up over Marty, and pulled her tight tank top over her head and tossed it aside...making it easier for Marty's hand to work it's magic.

Marty couldn't stop the groan that came past his lips when he was faced with Kelly's bare chest. "God...You're beautiful, baby." He whispered as he removed his hands from her breasts and replaced his fingers with his mouth, gently sucking and licking around her nipple. The other breast getting the same attention only with his hand and fingers. He wasn't sure where all this came from...but

right then he wanted to please Kelly so badly.

Kelly cried out quietly when she felt Marty's mouth on her breast...closing her eyes and letting her head fall back again as she brought her hands up to his head.

Marty continued to work on the left breast for a good few minutes, making sure it got all the attention it needed. Then when he felt the time was right he licked a path from one breast over to the right where he quickly latched on and started to give it the same attention as he had its twin.

Kelly let out a desperate-sounding moan in between deep breaths. She felt so good...better than she had in a long time...and it never even crossed her mind that she was being so intimate with the man she had always thought would always be her best friend, but never more.

After another few minutes, Marty let his mouth and hands drop from Kelly's breasts and gently picked Kelly up off of his lap and lied her down on the bed before climbing over top of her. Once they were positioned again he started to place soft kisses all over Kelly's upper body, moving down to lick and kiss her belly button and her sides and then back up to each of her breasts again.

Kelly's hands rubbed over Marty's head as he placed his kisses all over her...then slid their way down onto his back when he returned his mouth to her breasts...which caused her to whimper helplessly.

Marty smirked against Kelly's nipple as he took it into his mouth and nipped at it a little.

"Oh shit," Kelly moaned out in a whisper...her short, dainty manicured fingernails digging into the backs of Marty's shoulders as she arched up against him a bit.

As Marty's teeth and tongue worked on Kelly's breasts, his hands moved down to start running over her pajama covered thighs. One of his hands moving up and over her leg and then down to run her inner thigh.

Kelly kept her eyes closed and her head resting down on the pillow...allowing herself to completely enjoy Marty's sweet attention. Foreplay had never been a big part of her sex life...so this was something almost brand new to her.

Marty moved his hand up to the waist band of her Pajama pants and then lifted his head to look up at Kelly's closed eyes. "Can I take them off?" He asked in a husky voice, talking about her Pajama pants.

Kelly opened her eyes, and swallowed hard as she looked into Marty's. She wasn't sure if she was ready for sex at that point...but she was definitely prepared for what was currently happening...so she nodded her head slowly.

Marty nodded back and scooted down her body a little and as he did so he slowly pulled down her pajama pants, but leaving her panties on. Once they were off her feet he gently laid them aside before going to place soft kisses all over Kelly's legs, starting at her ankles and slowly making his way up.

Kelly brought her arms up by her head as she closed her eyes again...her hands gripping at the pillow under her. She couldn't believe how good...and wonderful...and beautiful...and special Marty was making her feel.

By the time Marty's kisses made their way up to Kelly's inner thigh, he was fairly turned on himself. But this wasn't about him at all....this was about Kelly and how he wanted to make her feel things that she'd never felt before. Taking a deep breath he moved his lips from her inner thigh to in between her legs and started to kiss and lick her over he panties.

"Fuck," Kelly moaned out...automatically spreading her legs and arching her back a bit...actions that her body took on it's own.

Marty smiled against Kelly as he moved his tongue to trace a line around each of the edges of her panties on the skin and then moved to her most sensitive spot to give it attention through the fabric.

"Oh God. Marty...I..." Kelly tried to speak between deep breaths as she lifted her head a bit to look down at him.

Marty stopped what he was doing and looked up at Kelly. "You okay...do you want me to stop?" He asked with worry and concern in his eyes.

Kelly shook her head a bit. "I just..." she paused...feeling her already-flushed cheeks heat up with a blush. "I've never...had this..." She let her voice trail off...almost embarrassed to continue speaking.

Smiling Marty nodded his head in understanding. "It's okay, baby...just let me make you feel good...okay?" He said this as his fingers traced the waistband of her panties a lot like had done when asking to remove her pajama pants.

Kelly took a deep breath as she looked into Marty's eyes. Something in them sent a shock wave through her body...bringing back any and all trust she had lost in him the previous day. With a quiet groan, she nodded her head...then rested it back down on the pillow.

Scooting back up Kelly's body, Marty kissed her sweetly, and passionately on the lips as his fingers worked on getting her panties down her legs. All the while trying to ignore his hardening cock so he could place all his attention his the beautiful woman underneath him.

Kelly brought her hands up to lightly touch Marty's cheeks as she kissed him back...her body shivering with anticipation.

Marty kissed Kelly for a few long minutes before he pulled back and once again began to trail kisses down her body...paying close attention to every inch of skin.

Kelly moaned quietly when the kiss ended...quickly licking her lips as if to preserve the feel of Marty's lips on them. As he kissed his way down her body, her hands went back up to grip the pillow under her head.

Finally Marty got to the patch of dark hair between Kelly's legs and started to kiss over it. His body shivering at the smell of the woman he loved more then anything. His hands moving to hold her hips he glanced up at Kelly quickly before sticking his tongue out to open the folds and lick between them.

Kelly felt Marty's tongue on her, and cried out a lot louder than she would have liked to had she had any control over it. This feeling was just seconds old, and she already knew that she'd never experienced any like it in her life.

Smiling against her as he dipped his tongue inside of her a little more, his tongue licking over her opening...his body craving a taste of what was only Kelly.

Kelly let out a loud whimper as she struggled to catch her breath...her legs parting more, as her body craved the attention Marty was giving it.

Feeling Kelly's legs spread more, gave Marty the only reassurance he needed before he pushed his tongue into her as far as it could go.

"OH!" Kelly cried out loudly when she felt the sudden-yet-welcome invasion by Marty's tongue. "So...good..." she managed between passionate, desperate whines. Her hands went down to hold Marty's head...her legs spreading even more.

Marty let out a low moan of his own when his body was taken over by the taste of Kelly around his tongue and lips. Taking another deep breath, Marty began to make love to Kelly with his tongue, moving it in and out of her, going in as deep as it could go and then moving around a little, before pulling back out and doing the same thing over and over again.

Before long, Kelly found herself hooking her legs over Marty's shoulders to get her hips up off the bed...and her wet heat as close to his mouth as possible. She was far from quiet...a near-constant flow of moans, cries and whimpers escaping her throat.

Marty continued the movements of his tongue as he gently ran his hands up and down her thighs. After another few minute he pulled his tongue out all the way and began to lick the inside of her folds, licking up all her juices as teasing her swollen clit with his hungry tongue.

Kelly's heart raced and her breath came out in pants as she dropped her hands to the bed and fisted them into the sheet. "Oh God...oh God..." She squeezed her eyes shut in preparation for her climax...the burning sensation in her body telling her it was close.

Kelly's body language was telling Marty she was close, so with a few more flicks to her clit he dove his deep inside of her again, making sure to wiggle it around and tap the spot that he knew would drive her crazy.

"Oh...oh...oh..." Kelly cried out...then let out a loud groan that came from her toes as her orgasm hit her, and her muscles contracted against Marty's mouth and tongue.

Marty moaned deep in his throat as he felt Kelly's muscles contract around his tongue. He continued to move his tongue gently inside of her as she road out her orgasms.

For the first time in her life, Kelly let go of all her inhibitions, and willingly let her orgasm flow against Marty's hungry mouth. Her relaxed state...along with the eager probing of Marty's skillful tongue...allowed her to experience a second orgasm almost immediately...which came accompanied by a loud, strained cry of Marty's name.

Marty was slightly shocked when he felt Kelly's body shake with another orgasm...but he willingly continued to lick her and gently rub her thighs to help calm her down some.

With the last traces of her orgasm finally calming down, Kelly took a long, deep breath...trying to relax her weak body.

Feeling Kelly relax, Marty pulled his tongue out of her and licked her clean before sitting up on his knees, looking down at her with a big smile on his face. "You okay?"

Kelly opened her eyes and smiled back at Marty. "Damn."

Marty giggled. "Glad you enjoyed it." He said, still smiling big. He couldn't help it but feel pretty proud of himself for making Kelly feel so good...since that was exactly what he had been aiming to do.

Kelly sighed quietly. "Enjoyed it? Marty...I never knew I could feel that good," she admitted...still trying to catch her breath.

Marty blushed a little as he moved to get off the bed. "Wait here I'll be right back." He said as he slipped extra baggy sweats over his hips to attempt and hide the hard on he still had. Quickly he walked out of the room.

Kelly sighed again...moving to pull the sheet over her naked body before collapsing down again...completely spent.

After talking with his mom and his oldest sister who had come early to help make breakfast. Marty explained what he wanted to do and the girls helped him make up a plate of the breakfast food and put it on a tray for him. Once it was all set he carried it back up to the bedroom. "Hungry?" He asked as he walked with the tray over to the bed.

Kelly smiled as she sat up against the pillows...holding the sheet to her chest. "What's this? We're supposed to have breakfast with your family."

"We would normally just sit around in different parts of the house and eat...so this year I chose bed...as the part of the house I'm going to eat in." Marty giggled as he set the try of food onto Kelly's lap. There was scrambled eggs and bacon. Sourdough toast and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Kelly giggled as she looked down at the selection on the tray. "I'm pretty sure you already ate in your bed," she teased.

Marty actually blushed at that and subconsciously licked his lips. "Umm yeah...guess I did."

Kelly laughed again as she tucked the sheet under her arms to hold it up while she tore off a small piece of toast and put it into her mouth.

Smiling at Kelly, Marty climbed onto his own side of the bed and watched Kelly eat her breakfast. "Is it good?"

Kelly nodded...looking up at Marty. "Aren't you gonna eat with me?"

Marty shrugged. "I'm not really that hungry...so I thought I would just mooch a little off of you."

"OK...but you should eat. You're already too skinny as it is," Kelly said as she put some eggs on her fork, then brought it up to her mouth.

"Not because I don't eat...it's my metabolism...I can eat like a pig and not gain weight." Marty laughed. "It's kinda nice."

"Yeah...it's a man thing," Kelly said before sipping her juice.

"Yup...but you like me because I'm a man." Marty said wiggling his eyebrows.

"I don't like you ONLY because you're a man," Kelly said...bringing a forkful of eggs up to Marty's mouth.

Marty smirked and giggled "True...another woman could do what I just did too." He teased*

Kelly made a face. "Yeah...but I wouldn't want THAT," she said...still holding the eggs up for Marty to eat.

Marty took the forkful of eggs into his mouth. "Aww...why not that would be very interesting to watch." He joked, as he talked with his mouth full.

Kelly shook her head. "No way. I'm not interested."

Marty smiled. "Good...because neither am I. I'm not sharing you with anybody."

Kelly laughed. "How nice of you," she said before picking up a piece of toast and taking a bite, then holding it out for Marty.

Leaning over slightly, Marty took a bite of the toast and chewed it before speaking again. "I didn't go overboard earlier right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't do anything you didn't want me to do?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...of course not. I would have stopped you if I wanted to," she said...taking a bite of bacon.

Marty nodded his head and smiled. "Good...cuz I really wanted to do that for you."

Kelly smiled at Marty. "You did?"

"Yeah...I wanted to do something nice...to make you feel good." Marty said with a sheepish smile.

"Well...it definitely worked. But you didn't have to go that far, you know. Something like THIS is nice enough," Kelly said...gesturing to the breakfast tray on her lap.

"Yeah well...I didn't think of the breakfast thing until after." Marty laughed.

Kelly chuckled as she sipped her juice, then looked at Marty. "Thank you...for that," she said quietly...blushing a little. "I've honestly never felt anything like it...ever. It was amazing."

Marty blushed a little again. "You're welcome...I enjoyed doing it too." he giggled.

Kelly laughed. "Good to know," she said...going back to eating her breakfast.

After sitting with Kelly for a minute or two, Marty moved to get off the bed. "I think I am going to take a shower really quickly." He said, knowing he needed to do something with his erection before he was hanging around his young nieces and nephews.

"OK. I'll save you some breakfast," she said...giving Marty a smile.

Marty got off the bed and walked into the bathroom, then thinking of something he turned back to look at Kelly. "You want me to wait until you are done with your food...and you can join me?" He asked with a smirk...knowing Kelly probably would want a shower now too.

Kelly chuckled. "If you want."

Marty's only response was to walk back to the bed and climb on, taking a piece of bacon he began to nibble on it.

Kelly laughed. "I'll take that as a yes," she said through her mouthful of eggs.

"Yup...we gota save water ya know." Marty giggled through a mouthful of bacon.

Kelly widened her eyes. "Right," she said...then leaned over to kiss Marty's lips.

Marty moaned right away when he felt Kelly's lips on his. He quickly fell into the kiss and kissed her back.

Kelly pulled away from the kiss and kissed the tip of Marty's nose. "We should probably get a move on...huh?"

Marty nodded his head and sighed. "Yeah we should." He said getting out of bed and taking the the tray off of Kelly's lap. "Why don't you go start the shower while I take this downstairs?" He suggested.

Kelly nodded. "OK."

With a big smile, Marty walked out of the room and down into the kitchen. He was happy when nobody was in the kitchen at that moment and he quickly put the dirty plate in the sink and put the tray away.

Once Marty was gone, Kelly got out of the bed and went into the bathroom. She took a look at herself in the mirror and smiled...happy with what she saw for the first time in a while. She took a deep breath, then went to start the shower...stepping in only when the temperature was perfect.

After everything was cleaned up, Marty headed back upstairs and into his room. Smiling big when he heard the shower running, He walked into the bathroom. "It's just me." He called over the running water as he stripped out of his sweats and boxers. He knew his whole point of taking a shower was going to be to relieve himself of the hard on he had gotten while please Kelly...but now he was going to be a perfect gentleman again and not worry about it. Smiling he stepped into the shower behind Kelly.

Kelly laughed. "I HOPE it's just you."

Marty laughed, deeply. "Yeah...don't know who else it would be...unless it was my nephews or something...hormone crazed teenagers."

"Eeew...gross," Kelly said...moving behind Marty and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Yeah...tell me about it." Marty mumbled as he allowed himself to relax under the water, with Kelly's hands around him.

Kelly placed a few soft kisses on Marty's mid back as she slid her hands down over his stomach.

Marty giggled a little when Kelly's hands went to his stomach but the relaxed again. "There still wasn't very many people here yet...so we've still got time."

"Oh...good..." Kelly said against Marty's skin...her fingers tracing the outlines of the defined muscles on his stomach.

Marty shivered a little under Kelly's soft touch and took a deep relaxing breath. For the first time in the last few days, totally relaxing and enjoying the moment.

"You haven't told me how you're feeling today," Kelly said before placing a few more soft kisses on Marty's back. She was very concerned for his physical and emotional well-being.

"I'm doing okay." Marty whispered. "Not 100 percent...but I'm doing good unless I take time to think about how I could really use like five triple shot lattes."

"We'll just have to keep your mind off it," Kelly said...her fingertips trailing a little lower...tracing the muscled outlines of Marty's pelvis.

The feeling of Kelly's fingers going lower on him caused Marty's cock come to attention even more then it was and a small moan escaped his lips. "Yeah...and shouldn't be too...hard to do on Christmas." He said in a voice that was deeper then it had been a few seconds before.

Kelly giggled as she slid her hands down even lower to grab hold of Marty's erection. "Shouldn't be too hard with my hands on your dick, either."

Marty groaned deep in his throat when he felt Kelly's hand on him. "No...you're right."

Kelly laughed again...stroking Marty slowly from behind. "Did this just happen...or has it been building?"

"Has what just happened?" Marty asked confused...his brain already starting to fog over.

"This," Kelly said...emphasizing her point by giving Marty's cock a squeeze.

Marty's eyes rolled back into his head as he groaned. "No...its been there...ever since I was pleasing you."

"Really..." Kelly started...kissing over the wet skin of Marty's back as her right hand stroked his dick, and her left went lower to play with his balls. "...doing that...to me...made you hard?"

Marty swallowed hard and nodded. "Y...yeah...hearing you moan in pleasure...tasting you. It turned me on really bad, Kel. There was a point there that I wanted to remove my tongue and make love to you...the right way." He admitted.

Kelly didn't reply to that. She really didn't know how to. Instead...she continued working her hands on Marty...and trailing her lips and tongue all over his mid back.

Marty moaned and closed his eyes tightly as he let Kelly jerk him for a few more minutes before he said something, he knew he couldn't go back on. "What would you say...If I said I wanted to make love to you...right now? On Christmas morning?" He said it so softly he wasn't sure if Kelly could hear him or not...he hoped she could cuz he didn't think he could repeat himself. There was just something inside of him that told him he needed to say it.

Kelly swallowed hard as her hands stopped what they were doing. "What would I say?" she asked in a whisper against his back. Sure...the previous day she was about to do it before the whole pill thing, but in her own mind, she still wasn't sure whether she had really wanted it...or just wanted to do it to make Marty happy.

Marty nodded his head, turning around to look Kelly in the eye. "Yes...what would you say." He said looking at her with so much love in his eyes...he knew she wasn't ready to feel the same way...but he never wanted her not to see it from him.

The look in Marty's eyes put Kelly at ease...and made her smile. "I'd say...OK."

Marty's eyes went wide as a big smile went over his face. "Really?" He asked in shock. He wasn't sure why he was so shocked...but he was...pleasantly shocked.

Kelly laughed. "Why are you so surprised?"

Marty shrugged and blushed. "I don't know...I know I shouldn't be." He said with a smile and pulled Kelly into his arms for a big hug.

"Well...maybe you SHOULD be. I've been saying I'm not ready...and then...that I didn't trust you."

Hearing Kelly say that, made Marty pull back. "That's right...you don't trust me...Kel...if you don't trust me...then we can't do this."

Kelly smiled up at Marty. "It's OK now. Cuz...I know you're trying to beat the whole pill thing. And then...this morning...you brought back all my trust."

Marty raised an eyebrow. "I brought back your trust by going down on you?" He said, totally breaking the romantic mood for the moment.

Kelly chuckled. "No...not that. It was the way you treated me. You were so sweet...and gentle...and always making sure I was OK with everything. And plus...the look in your eyes."

"The look in my eyes?" Marty asked confused. He hadn't know he had been looking at Kelly with any specific look in his eyes.

Kelly nodded and shrugged at the same time. "I don't know...I can't explain it. But...the way you looked at me just told me everything was OK. You had...love...in your eyes."

Marty smiled and nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure I do." He said softly. "Okay...let's get out of the shower...no point in cleaning up...when we'll just have to do it all over again." He giggled.

Kelly laughed...stepping away from Marty and getting out of the shower.

Marty followed Kelly and grabbed them both a towel. Drying himself off so he wasn't dripping he wrapped the towel around his waist and smiled at Kelly as he waited for her to be ready.

Kelly dried off...then held her towel around herself with one hand as she reached the other out to Marty.

Marty smiled big and took Kelly's hand and led her out into the bedroom. He walked them over to the door first and quickly locked it. "Just in case." He giggled before leading Kelly to the bed.

Kelly laughed nervously as she dropped her towel to the floor...then climbed onto the bed...taking the spot she had just vacated.

Marty stood at the edge of the bed and looked down at Kelly lying there naked. "I really like you lying naked on my bed." He said, licking his lips.

Kelly chuckled. "I'm not sure how I should take that."

"That is just me being a horny freak." Marty laughed as he walked over to the drawer where Kelly had been the night before and grabbed out the box of condoms. Looking at the box he noticed the were almost to their expiration date and thought for a second. He knew had more some place but he couldn't remember where. "Are you on any type of birth control?" He asked, feeling sucky for asking that, just feeling like he should know. After asking he walked into the bathroom to look through drawers for the newer box he had gotten the last time he had been home.

Kelly pulled the sheet over her as she watched Marty walk out of the room...wondering why he hadn't waited for an answer.

Thinking he hadn't let Kelly answer him he laughed to himself and went to stand at the door. "Sorry, honey." He smiled sheepishly.

Kelly smiled. "That's OK. What are you looking for?"

"Another box of condoms...these things have an expiration date of tomorrow...I don't trust them when they are that old...that's why I asked you that question."

"Oh. Well...yeah. I'm on the pill. But..."

"Better to be safe then sorry...I know." Marty smiled

"Yeah..." Kelly agreed...her eyes still on Marty. "Check my toiletry bag on the counter. There might be some in there."

Just then Marty smacked himself in the head. "Okay...I'm a total dork." he laughed as he walked to where his bag was from the tour and pulled out three boxes of condoms.

Kelly widened her eyes when she saw the condoms. "Wow...that's a lot of condoms," she said quietly...the reality of Marty's sex life suddenly hitting her.

Knowing what Kelly was thinking, Marty carried the boxes over to her and set them down. "Honey...I know you're probably scared...cuz you know I've been with a lot of girls...but I've never cared for them as much as I care for you. They don't matter anymore...you're all that I want."

Kelly just nodded as she tried to digest everything...her eyes fixed on Marty's.

"Kelly Konno...I love you...I know you aren't ready to say it back to me...and that's okay...but I want you to understand this." Marty said looking Kelly right in the eye so she would know he wasn't lying.

Kelly smiled a bit...nodding again. "I know you do. I don't doubt that."

Taking out a condom and setting it on the night stand he tossed the boxes on the floor and kicked them under the bed before crawling on and sitting next to Kelly. "We don't have to do this you know...I will understand that too."

Kelly shook her head. "No...I want to."

"Okay then..." Marty whispered as he leaned over to kiss Kelly softly on the mouth, wanting to take things slow.

Kelly kissed Marty back for a bit before she pulled back with a sigh to look him in the eye. "I'm scared," she whispered quietly.

Marty looked into Kelly's eyes and reached up to stroke her cheek softly. "Of what?" He whispered back.

"I don't know. I think I'm just scared because...I don't know...because I've never done this with someone...that I feel this way about."

"I know...I'm scared too." Marty admitted. "This is new to me too."

Kelly chuckled nervously. "Sex is hardly new to you."

Marty shook his head. "No...but making love is."

Kelly smiled. "Yeah...I suppose that's true."

Taking a deep breath, Marty smiled. "We gunna do this...or are we going to sit here naked looking cute?" He said trying to lighten the mood.

Kelly took a deep breath, as well. "Are we ready for this?"

Marty thought about that...really thought about it. "I would really like to...seems like the perfect way to start the morning...but that doesn't mean I don't have my doubts too." He admitted.

"OK. Then...we can have our doubts together."

"Should we do this...if we have doubts?" Marty asked softly.

Kelly sighed quietly. She was utterly confused. "I want to. I mean...I don’t think it would be wrong...cuz..." Her voice trailed off and she took a deep, shaky breath.

Marty just looked at Kelly and stayed quiet. He felt she had more to say and gave her the time she needed to get her thoughts figured out so she could.

Kelly took one more deep breath before she spoke again. "It wouldn't be wrong...because...I love you," she said softly.

Marty couldn't hide the huge smile that came over his face. Taking a deep breath he leaned over and kissed Kelly passionately, mumbling "I love you too." against her lips after a few seconds.

Kelly couldn't help but laugh softly into the kiss. This man was amazing. Here she was having all these negative thoughts about her family...and Marty's drug use...and he managed to make it into one of the happiest times of her life.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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When Justin woke up at around five o'clock, it was still dark...outside, and in his bedroom. He took a look at each of sleeping brothers and smiled. He was so happy to be home...and with his family. After stretching quickly, he suddenly remembered that there was something he needed to do. Carefully and quietly...so as not to wake the boys up...he climbed out of the bed and headed out of the bedroom. He went over to the center island in the kitchen area, and glanced over at Nick's sleeping form as he quietly pulled out one of the stools. He then took a seat, and went to work writing in the Christmas card he'd taken from his mother.

Nick turned over in his sleep and started to snore softly, his face facing Justin now.

Justin heard Nick snoring and glanced over at him...smiling at the sight of his peaceful face in the bright moonlight coming in through the blinds. After taking a deep breath, he returned his attention to his writing...his tongue sticking out a bit in concentration.

Something...that he wasn't really sure of caused Nick to open his eyes. After looking around for a second he noticed Justin sitting in the kitchen. "You...okay?" He whispered, worried that something was wrong if Justin was up so early.

Justin turned to look at Nick again and smiled. "Yeah. I'm fine. Why?"

Nick squinted against the darkness as he tried to focus on the clock on the wall. Since he didn't have his glasses of contacts on he couldn't see it well enough. "It's early...why are you up?"

Justin shrugged...turning in his seat a bit to look at Nick more easily. "I don't know...I just...woke up. Did I wake you?"

Nicks hook his head. "No...I'm not sure why I woke up actually." He said moving to prop his head up on his elbow.

Justin chuckled quietly. "You look so cute...all sleepy-eyed...with you hair all messed up, and shit."

"You don't look bad yourself sitting there doing whatever it is your doing." Nick laughed softly, a big smile on his face.

Justin laughed again. "You probably can't even see me from there."

Nick giggled and shrugged. "Not very well...but I know you look cute...because you always do."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...that's true," he joked.

"Somebody is full of himself this morning." Nick joked, sitting up in bed, stretching his arms over his head.

Justin chuckled as he turned in his seat and went back to his writing. "Sorry."

"What are you doing?" Nick asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Nothing," Justin said...not looking up from the card he was still writing.

"Ahh...so you're just sitting over there in the dark all by yourself doing nothing?" Nick asked, humor evident in his voice.

"I'm writing," Justin said simply.

"Oh okay." Nick lied back down on the bed...thinking Justin would want some time to himself if he was writing.

"I'll be done in a minute," Justin said before his tongue poked out in concentration again.

Nick yawned and stretched his legs out groaning. "Don't rush."

When Justin finally finished writing, he stuffed the card into its envelope...leaving it unsealed. He then took a deep breath as he walked over to the sofa bed and handed the envelope to Nick. "Here you go. Merry Christmas."

Nick looked up at Justin with raised eyebrows as he took the card. "You didn't have to give me a card...You're taking me to Europe…and buying me jewlery."

Justin smiled with a shrug. "No big deal. It was free. I got it from my mom last night," he said...then chuckled. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom," he said before heading back to his bedroom.

"Okay." Nick whispered as he sat up in bed. Once he was sitting he slipped the card out of the envelope and took a deep breath.

Justin checked on his brothers...who were, much to his surprise, still fast asleep. They had a tendancy to be up way before sunrise on Christmas morning. After tucking the blankets around them a bit tighter, he made his way to the bathroom to use the toilet and brush his teeth.

By the time Nick was done reading the note and the song there were tears falling down his cheeks. Sure before that moment he knew that Justin cared for him...through his actions and words...but now, reading the note he knew for sure exactly what he meant to the other man. Sniffling he whipped his nose with the back of his hand and read over the whole thing again.

Justin finished up in the bathroom, then returned to his bedroom to put some socks on his bare feet and throw a hoodie on over his t-shirt.

Drawing the blankets up to his chin when he felt chilled, Nick read the letter over and over again, tears falling from his eyes. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever read...and it was directed ot him.

Justin decided to let his brothers sleep some more, and headed back out to the living room...where he took a seat on the edge of Nick's bed. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly when he saw Nick's teary eyes.

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled wide. "Thank you." He whispered, knowing his voice wouldn't work just then.

Justin smiled. "Jeez...it's just a note."

"Nobody has ever said anything that nice to me before." Nick sniffled as he gently put the card back into the envelope for safe keeping.

Justin watched Nick slip the card back into the envelope. "Well...it's all true."

Setting the card down on the bed, Nick quickly leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Justin.

Justin chuckled softly as he wrapped his arms around Nick's neck...nestling his face into the warm spot where his neck and shoulder met. It was his new favorite thing to do. It allowed him to feel close to Nick...as well as be comforted by the warmth of his skin and his incresingly-familiar scent.

"Merry Christmas." Nick whispered in Justin's ear as he continued to hold him tightly, gently rocking him in his arms. His hands resting on the small of Justin's back as he held him tightly against his own body.

"Merry Christmas," Justin whispered in response...clinging tightly to the older man.

Nick sighed contently as he scooted down on the bed so he could lie down with Justin in his arms. "Just for a few minutes." He whispered.

Justin smiled as he lay down on the bed and moved close to Nick...burying his face in Nick's neck again.

"Tonight...can I sleep in your bed with you?" Nick asked softly.

Justin laughed quietly. "You're asking me that at five thirty in the morning?"

Nick giggled deeply in his chest. "Just trying to plan my day out...do christmas stuff...hang out with the family...sleep in Justin's bed...just making sure I know what I'm doing."

Justin laughed at that. "Oh...I see," he said...pressing his face into Nick's neck a bit more.

"So...what do you say?" Nick asked again as he kissed the top of Justin's head.

Justin smiled against Nick's neck. "Of course you can sleep in my bed. I don;t mind sleeping out here," he teased.

Nick groaned and lightly lifted Justin's head off of his neck to look into his eyes. "You are being cocky this morning." He smirked.

Justin shrugged. "Just trying to fit the label so many people put on me."

"Yeah...well people don't know shit." Nick said still looking Justin in the eye.

"Well...I must act like that sometimes if people believe it."

"Everybody does every once and a while, I think." Nick smiled and leaned over to kiss Justin lightly on the lips.

Justin looked at Nick again after the kiss. "Yeah...but not everyone has the whole world watching their every move."

Nick smiled, and reached a hand up to rub over Justin's head. "Don't think about that right now...you don't have to worry about all that shit now...just take deep breaths and enjoy being home."

Justin took Nick's advice and took a long, deep breath. "I know...and I usually try to forget all of that when I'm home...but it's hard sometimes."

Nick smiled. "I'll try to help you forget." He said as he continued to run his hand over Justin's head, his other hand rubbing his back.

Justin closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. "I know. It's easy to forget about the rest of the world when I'm with you."

Nick's smile got bigger. "Good...I'm glad." Just then Nick thought of something. "I was wondering...when I can tell my brother...what is going on...I feel kinda sucky for lying to him all the time...but I understand if you don't want me to say anything..even though I know he won't tell anybody."

Justin took a deep breath. As risky as it was, he didn't want Nick lying to his brother because of him. "Well...if trust him enough to not tell a sole...then...go ahead and tell him."

Nick nodded. "I trust him...but I'll think of it a little just to make sure." He whispered, holding onto Justin tightly.

"OK," Justin said...moving his head to rest it on Nick's chest. "Does he even know where you are? Or who you're with?"

"Nope...and it's really starting to piss him off." Nick laughed. "It's fun."

Justin chuckled. "You're evil."

"That's the fun thing about having siblings semi close in age...you can piss um off on purpose." Nick giggled putting on his best evil smile.

"I can't do that with the munchkins."

"Nope...cuz your brothers are sweethearts...mine is a pain in the ass." Nick joked before leaning down and kissing Justin again.

Justin laughed against Nick's lips. "That's cuz he takes after you."

Nick pulled back with a playful pout on his lips. "Hey now...I'm not a pain in the ass."

Justin laughed again. "Sometimes," he teased.

That caused Nick to pout even more. "Well...you're a meany bucket."

"And you're cheesey."

"And you're just full of insults today." Nick giggled, joking. "Cocky and insulting."

"Yup...that's me. The great Justin Timberlake. Big time jackass."

"Yeah...but I love ya anyway." Nick smiled as he continued to run his hands up and down Justin's back soothingly.

"You and my other millions and millions of fans."

"I'm a little more then that though." Nick whispered.

Justin smiled at Nick. "Yes...you are."

Nick giggled. "That's good to know...wouldn't want to think you were in a relationship with all your fans."

Justin laughed softly. "Of course I'm not."

"That would get really confusing if you were." Nick giggled again.

"Well...I'm not. Just you."

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world." Nick mumbled as he leand down for another kiss...this time making it a little deeper.

Justin sighed quietly as he kissed Nick back. Nick was wrong...HE was the luckiest guy in the world.

Nick deepened the kiss even more, pushing his tongue past Justin's lips, his hand moving lower to resting right before his ass.

Justin fell right into the kiss...bringing his hands up to take a hold of Nick's head.

Moaning softly Nick's tongue began to explore the mouth he was getting to know very well...but he still knew he would never get tired of kissing Justin. His body craved it.

Justin gently ran his fingers through Nick's hair as he kissed him back. He was growing to love kissing the older man more and more every day.

Nick brought his hands up to Justin's head and pushed his face as close as he could as he hungrily kissed Justin. Taking time to suck on his tongue.

Justin slowed the motions of his own mouth against Nick's...allowing Nick to do what he pleased with his mouth and tongue.

Nick shifted a little under Justin when his whole body started to tingle. Moaning deeply he continued to kiss Justin passionately, his hands running over his buzzed hair.

Justin started moving his tongue against Nick's as he shifted a bit, himself...settling half on top of Nick.

Feeling Justin move on top of him more made Nick sigh into the kiss. He loved having the younger man on top of him…made him feel safe. His tongue started a sensual battle with Justin's as his hands moved back down to rest on his ass.

Justin continued the kiss for a moment before moving his lips to lightly kiss Nick's chin as he caught his breath.

Nick panted, trying to catch his breath, moaning a little when he felt Justin's lips on his chin.

Justin giggled before kissing the tip of Nick's nose. "You're funny."

"Funny how?" Nick asked with a big smile.

Justin shrugged...looking into Nick's eyes. "I don't know. You just make me laugh."

"Normally laughing isn't really what one should be doing in the middle of making out," Nick teased.

"Well...at least you know I'm happy."

"Glad to know that...cuz I'm very happy too." Nick smiled big, holding Justin tightly against him, his hands still on his ass.

"You're only happy cuz your hands are on my tight ass," Justin teased...though loving that he could feel the warmth of Nick's hands through his PJs and boxers.

Nick laughed and smirked. "Aww, man you found me out...rats!"

Justin laughed...kissing Nick's nose again.

"Do I gota sit on the opposite end of the couch again today when we are with your family?" Nick asked softly, still not sure how much he could touch Justin while with his family.

Justin smiled. "No...I don't think so. They all know, now. Well...except for Steven. I'm not sure if he'll understand."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "What about Jon?"

"He saw us kissing last night...right before I went to bed."

Nick got a scared look on his face. "W..what happened?"

Justin shrugged. "Nothing, really. He asked me if you were my boyfriend."

"Really...and he was okay with that?"

"Yeah. He was like...'OK...cool.'"

Nick laughed. "Okay...that really makes you wonder what they are teaching in schools these days...if he think's that is normal."

"He was saying stuff about he's seen guys kiss on TV...so it's no big deal. And he's OK with you being my boyfriend...because he likes you."

Nick smiled. "Well...good I'm glad...cuz I wouldn't want ot make him feel uncomfortable."

"He's not. Don't worry. I just wish I knew how to tell Steve...in a way that he'd understand."

"I don't know...Aaron was Jon's age when I told him about me." Nick sighed. "Maybe you just tell him the truth…normally...I know kid's like it when you try to tell them things in an adult way."

Justin sighed quietly. "Yeah...maybe."

"But I get to hug you around other people...that is a Christmas present in itself." Nick said smiling big, rubbing Justin's ass through his PJ pants for a few seconds before moving them under his PJ pants and boxers to rest on his bare skin.

"Yeah...but only in my home. That doesn't seem right...does it?"

"What do you mean, baby?" Nick asked, gently running his fingers over Justin's skin, not noticing what he had just called him.

Justin noticed, though...and the simple word sent a shiver down his spine...all the way to Nick's hands. "I don't know. Just that...we can't be ourselves in public...around other people...because of the way they judge. And that sucks."

"Yeah...it sucks but...we have to take what we can get and be ourselves around those that care for us...and that understand. I'm going to soke up all the attention I can get before we leave." Nick said with a big smile.

Justin chuckled. "Good idea," he said...then suddenly got more serious. "Ya know...if I wasn't...who I am...we could be together wherever we wanted."

"We would still be judged even if you weren't who you are." Nick pointed out. "People still hate gays...don't know if that will ever change."

"Yeah...I know that. But it wouldn't matter what people thought of us...because I wouldn't have my career at stake."

"But...we can't think like that...because you ARE who you are...and we'll deal with it...I have faith in us…we can do it." Nick said smiling, tears in his eyes.

Justin smiled down at Nick as he brought a hand up to gently wipe his tears away. "I know we will, Nick...and I have faith, too. But...it's just not fair...especially to you. And I feel like that's because of me. I KNOW it's because of me."

"I want you for who you are. Celebrity status and all. With that...you wouldn't be the man I love." Nick said, biting his bottom lip, knowing he would scare Justin away with saying that...but he had to…because that is how he felt.

Justin swallowed hard. "You loved me before you even met me...didn't you?"

Nick thought about that for a second and shook his head. "Loving a person because they are famous...is totally different then what I feel right now."

"What do you feel right now?" Justin asked curiously...wondering what had changed in the couple of weeks that Nick had actually known him.

"I love you for the person you are...not for what you do...I care for you so much." Nick whispered.

"I know you care about me, Nick..." Justin whispered back. "...but...if it's not my fame...or my status...or my money...then what is it that makes me so different form anyone else you've ever met?"

"I really don't know, baby...besides the fact that I get that funny butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I see you. I want to smile all the time and I know I would die if you ever left. I've never felt that way about anybody else in my life." Nick said as his hands still softly ran over the soft skin of Justin's ass.

Justin's blue eyes looked deeply into Nick's. "How do you feel that way...already...after such a short time?"

"I don't know." Nick whispered. "I just do."

Justin sighed quietly as he rested his head down on Nick's chest...just letting himself enjoy the feeling of being in the older man's arms.

Nick squeezed Justin's ass lightly as he pulled him close. "I wish we never had to move." He mumbled against his hair.

Justin laughed softly. "Keep wishing...cuz the boys will be up any minute. I'm surprised they've already slept this late."

Nick groaned..."Okay...we'll I'll just hold you more tonight." He whispered as he moved his hands out of Justin's pants.

"Promise?" Justin asked quietly...not moving.

"Most definitely." Nick smiled, still holding onto Justin...not planning on letting go until he had to.

Just then Jon came walking into the room, yawning and stretching his hands on his head. "Morning...guys." He said smiling at his brother and Nick.

Justin lifted his head off of Nick's chest and turned it to look at Jon. "Hey...Merry Christmas," he said a bit uneasily...feeling as if he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't be doing.

Steven walked into the room a second later and stood next to his brother, looking at Nick and Justin like nothing was out of the ordinary. "Is it time to go open presents now?"

Justin laughed as he leaned up off of Nick and sat up on the edge of the bed. "I don't know," he said playfully...reaching to pull Steven onto his lap. "Don't you think we should let the grownups sleep a little longer?"

"You and Nick are up...you're grown ups." Steven pointed out.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm...I definitely think I'm a kid at Christmas."

Nick laughed and nodded his head. "OH yeah...me too...where's the presents?"

Jon giggled reaching up to stretch his head. "It's almost six now...don't you think they will be up?"

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. I have no idea what time they get up," he said to Jon...then smiled when he took a look at Steven's sleepy face...kissing the cheek of the boy on his lap.

Steven yawned, still not awake yet and rested his head on Justin's shoulder.

Nick smiled and crawled out of bed. "Well...we can always head to the house and check to see if anybody is up."

"We could...or...we could wait until they call us," Justin said...trying to torment his little brothers. He knew how bad they wanted to go and see what Santa left them.

Jon, even though he was trying to act grown up about the whole thing pouted. "But...what if they don't call us"

"They will...once they're awake...and have taken their showers and gotten dressed..."

Steven sat up in Justin's lap and looked over at Nick...for the first time noticing that something was a little weird. He gave Nick a strange look and then gave the same one to Justin.

Jon sighed and nodded. "I’m gunna go to the bathroom." He said before walking back to the bedroom.

"OK," Justin said...then looked at Steven's face. "What's wrong, munchkin?"

"Why were you lying on top of Nick?" Steven asked, confused.

Justin's face flushed and he took a deep breath. "Ummm..."

Nick reached over to rest his hand on Justin's thigh and rubbed it gently to give him reassurance.

Steven looked down at noticed this. "You a fag?" He asked, not meaning to sound mean...but he remembered his daddy saying that about boys who touched each other like that...so he thought it was the right word.

Justin's eyes widened. "What? Steven...where did you learn that word?"

Nick visibly tensed up and moved his hand quickly. He knew deep down that Steven wasn't saying it to be insulting...but he couldn't sand that word...every time he heard it he thought of his own father screaming it at him as he hit him before throwing him out into the streets.

Steven looked at the scared look onto Nick's face and then at Justin's wide eyes. "I...I didn't mean to say something bad..." he whispered, feeling awful.

"It's OK, buddy," Justin said calmly. "But...it really isn't a nice word, at all...and you shouldn't say it...OK? You shouldn't call anybody a fag."

Jon walked into the room as Justin said that his eyes wide. He knew that was a bad word to say...but he stayed quiet knowing Justin had to help Steven understand that.

Taking a deep breath Nick quietly excused himself and went to the bedroom before he broke down in front of the boys.

Steven nodded his head. "I 'm sorry...It's just he was touching you...and isn't that what you say when two boys touch each other?" He asked, totally confused.

Justin took a deep breath as he lifted Steven off his lap, and sat him down on the bed beside him so that he could look at him better. "That's what some people say...but those people are really mean...because it's a very bad word." He paused and took another deep breath...trying to word things the best he could. "What it's really called...is gay. Gay means...when two boys like each other. Like...they like to kiss and hug...and things like that."

Steven nodded, he had heard that word before too. "So, you and Nick are gay?" He asked not sounding disgusted...but actually really curious.

"Well...sort of," Justin started...wanting to be as honest as possible. "Nick is gay...yes. But me...I like boys AND girls."

Steven tried to take all of the information in and nodded his head. "Like you liked Britney and Cameron...and Kelly?"

Justin nodded...glad that Steven seemed to be following him. "Yes...exactly."

"But now you like Nick...so is he still just your friend...that you touch and stuff?" Steven asked, making sure he understood everything.

"Well...not exactly. I mean...he's still my friend...but a little more than that, too. He's my boyfriend. Ya know...kinda like when I had girlfriends...only he's a boy."

"Oh...okay I get it." Steven said smiling...then he thought of something. "I'm not going to tell daddy bout this...cuz he says the mean word about boys like you."

Justin sighed as he nodded...willing himself not to cry. Randy wasn't worth crying over, anyway. "Yeah...that's a good idea, kiddo. He doesn't like boys like me," he said quietly. Not that it mattered...because his father didn't like him anyway. "It kinda has to be a secret anyway, Steve. So people don't find out...ya know?"

Steven nodded his head. "Okay...I wont tell anybody." He said with a smile.

Justin smiled and ruffled Steven's soft blonde hair. "Thanks, buddy."

Meanwhile Nick was in the bedroom, sitting in the middle of the bed, with his knees to his chest. He knew it was stupid to feel weird...and he wasn’t mad or angry at Steven...he just couldn't seem to get the memories out of his head. Sighing he covered his face with his hands as tears continued to fall.

Justin sighed quietly. "So...what do you think of it all, Steve?"

"If you're happy...I'm happy." Steven smiled.

Justin chuckled. "When did you get so grown up?"

Steven giggled and shrugged. "I dunno."

"I don't know either," Justin said as he stretched. "OK, kiddo. Go find Nick and Jon so we can go see what Santa brought us."

Steven got up and found Jon in the kitchen drinking a glass of water. "We gota find Nick so we can go see what Santa brought us!" He exclaimed pulling Jon towards the bedroom but both boys stopped short when they saw Nick crying in the middle of the bed. "What do we do now?" Steven whispered.

Jon looked at Nick and sighed. "Let's go get Justin." With that they turned and walked back into the living room. "Nick looks really sad." Jon said softly.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he stood up. "What do you mean?"

"He's in the middle of your bed...I think he's crying." Jon said.

Steven nodded. "Yeah.."

Justin sighed. "OK...you guys watch TV for a minute...I'll be back," he said...then headed toward his room.

Nick continued to sit in the middle of the bed. His cries coming out as sobs by this point as he couldn't get the images to leave his mind.

Justin went into the room, and immediately got on his knees in front of Nick on the bed...wrapping his arms around the older man. "I'm sorry, Nick," he said...knowing what had gotten him upset. "Steven didn't mean to say anything to hurt you."

NickyCman says:

Nick automatically wrapped his arms around Justin and held onto him for dear life. He was shaking like a leaf with the memories. "I...I know...He didn't...I'm...I'm mad at...at him." He hiccupped.

"Nicky...everything's OK. He can't hurt you anymore. I won't let him," Justin promised as he held Nick close.

"I...I...I know that too." Nick said as he tried to calm himself down. "I...I just keep seeing it...hearing it...It wont go away."

Justin sighed. "I know. I just...I wish I could take it all away."

Nick snuggled into Justin's arms as best as he could, his body still shaking.

Just then the phone rang.

"Jon...can you get that?" Justin called...not wanting to leave Nick alone.

"Yeah!" Jon called as he went to answer the phone.

"I'm sorry." Nick mumbled against Justin's shoulder.

"Don't be sorry. I just want you to be happy today. It's Christmas."

Taking a deep breath Nick pulled back with a small smile on his face. "You don't want me to be happy on normal days?"

Jon walked to the door way slowly. "Justin...that was your mom...they are awake."

Justin chuckled. "Shut up," he mumbled to Nick...then turned to look at Nick. "OK, buddy...we'll head over as soon as Nick's ready."

Jon nodded and walked back out of the room.

Nick giggled and rested his head back down on Justin's shoulder for a second to make sure he was okay to get up and go.

"If you don't feel like dealing with people...you can stay here."

Nick shook his head. "I'm not spending my Christmas morning by myself...That's what I normally do." He mumbled against his chest. "I just might be kinda clingy so I apologize in advance."

Justin smiled. "It's OK...if that's what you need..."

Pulling back Nick nodded. "Okay...I'm ready to go...show me what it's like to have a happy family Christmas." He said with a small smile.

"Only if you're up to it."

Nick nodded. "I'll be okay...I'll tell you if I'm not."

"OK...deal," Justin said...then gave him a quick kiss before getting up off the bed.

Nick climbed off the bed and took another deep breath before following Justin into the living room.

Jon and Steven were already ready standing by the door ready to rush out.

Justin laughed when he saw his brothers. "Anxious?"

"Heck yeah!" Jon exclaimed laughing.

Steven nodded. "Uh huh...I wana see all the loot I got!"

Justin laughed as he grabbed his keys, then picked Steven up itno his arms. "OK...let's go," he said...opening the front door. "Stay on the walk, Jon," he instructed...walking his own stocking feet over the cobblestones.

"I know that!" Jon exclaimed as he led the group to the house.

Nick stood in the back and followed everybody.

"OK, OK...jeez," Justin said with a chuckle. "Here...you need the key."

Jon took the key from Justin and ran ahead to unlock the door.

Nick laughed, shaking his head.

Steven giggled, relaxing in Justin's arms.

Lynn met Jon at the door and smiled. "Come on in guys."

Justin set Steven on the floor as soon as they got into the kitchen. "Merry Christmas, mama," he said...kissing Lynn on the cheek.

Lynn hugged Justin and kissed his forehead. "Did all of you sleep okay?"

Jon nodded his head. "Yup...I slept good."

Steven nodded too. "Uh huh...Justin's bed is comfy."

Justin laughed. "Yup...we were like peas in a pod."

"I had to be all by myself." Nick pouted playfully. "It was lonely."

Justin laughed and rolled his eyes...then went over to hug Lisa, who'd just stepped into the kitchen.

Lisa lauughed as she hugged Justin. "I'm sure Justin made sure you were cozy over there," she said to Nick.

Nick laughed and nodded. "Yeah...I was perfectly fine."

Before anything else was said both Jon and Steven rushed into the living room to check out the loot Santa had brought.

Justin laughed. "Guess it's time for presents," he said...taking Nick's hand and leading him toward the living room.

Lynn smiled big as she watched Justin take Nick's hand. They had to be the cuttest thing she had ever seen.

****@*****

Marty pulled back from the kiss and started to place soft gentle kisses all over Kelly's neck.

Kelly groaned quietly...trying to completely relax. She was suddenly finding it hard, though...as her doubts...some of which Marty knew nothing about...started flooding back into her head.

Marty could tell Kelly wasn't as relaxed as she should be and removed his mouth from her neck so he could look up into her eyes. "Honey...what's wrong?"

Kelly took a deep breath as she looked up at Marty. "I don't know..."

"Are you still okay with what we're doing?" Marty asked softly...scared that she was rethinking the love she had for him.

Kelly swallowed hard as she trailed her fingers up and down Marty's arms. "I...I don't know. I mean...maybe you were right. Maybe we shouldn't do this...if we have doubts."

Marty took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay...if you are having doubts...We shouldn't, Kel."

"But wait...it's not just me. You said you had doubts, too."

"I did...but they all went away when you told me you loved me." Marty said softly.

"Oh," Kelly said...suddenly feeling as though she'd totally ruined the moment...and hurt Marty's feelings, as well. "Well...it's true. I meant it," she said honestly.

Marty smiled and nodded. "I know you do honey...and it's really okay...if you don't want to do this." He said honestly, meaning what he said.

Kelly looked away for a bit...and then back at Marty's face. "Well...the reason I don't think we should is...cuz...I just remembered something that I kinda forgot in the heat of the moment." She paused, then spoke again softly. "And...I guess it's something I should probably tell you."

"You can tell me anything, Kel." Marty whispered.

Kelly nodded. "I know," she said...then took a deep breath. "My period's like...a week late, now."

It took a few seconds before Marty really caught on to what Kelly said and took a deep breath. "Oh..." Was all he could seem to say, his mind starting to work overtime. Once he thought of something else he finally asked..."Is that not normal for you?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...it's not. But...I mean...at first I was just thinking that it might be from stress because of everything that's been going on...but..."

Marty swallowed hard and nodded.. "Now you think...it's for another reason.."

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. But the other night when I was up late wrapping your gifts, and stuff...I did a lot of thinking. And I remembered that back a few weeks ago...when I was with Justin one night...the condom broke. It was when I was on those antibiotics for that sinus infection I had. And...well...I don't know if you know anything about how antibiotics reduce the effects of birth control pills..." Her voice trailed off, and she looked away form Marty's eyes.

Yeah...he knew what Kelly was talking about. Closing his eyes he took a few deep breaths. He never thought he would be hearing his girlfriend tell him this...but what made it worse was that it was another man's baby. But...deep down he didn't really care either...he still loved Kelly so much and he was going to be supportive no matter what. "Hey...come here it's going to be okay." He whispered pulling Kelly into his arms.

"No it's not," Kelly said...suddenly bursting into tears. "It's not OK, Marty," she said...burying her face in his shoulder. "What if I'm pregnant?"

"Then...we'll deal with it...together." Marty whispered, holding Kelly as tightly as he could.

"How can you say that? It's...it's not even yours."

Just then it hit him like a tone of bricks and Marty got really scared. "I...if you are...are you leaving...me?"

Kelly pulled back to look into Marty's eyes. "Wouldn't I have to? I mean...it's not that I would want to...but I could never ask you to take care of me...and someone else's baby."

Marty shook his head quickly. "I don't want you to go...no matter what. If…If Justin would let me...I would want to take care of you...and the baby."

Kelly shook her head a bit. "But I couldn't do that, either. If it's true...I have to let him be involved...because we both know he'd want to...insist on it, even."

Marty nodded his head sadly. He knew he was going to lose Kelly...the only woman he loved...would ever love.

Once Kelly had stopped crying...silent tears still sliding down her cheeks...she reached up to turn Marty's head so he was looking at her. "Look at me, sweetie."

Marty looked at Kelly, tears falling from his own eyes. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered.

Kelly took a deep breath...her thumbs lightly caressing Marty's cheeks. "Marty...I don't want that to happen, either...but...it's going to be completely up to you. I mean...I know Justin doesn't want to be...WITH me...but he'll be hugely involved if I'm having his child. So...if you can handle having a girlfriend who's pregnant with another man's baby...then..."

"I love you Kelly...no matter what happens. Justin is a fair man...I know he won't try and take you from me." Marty said softly, almost trying to convince himself that, that was true.

Kelly nodded. "Well...let's not get too hung up about it. Cuz...we don't even know if it's true yet."

"Should we find out?"

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah. I'll...I don't know...buy a test tomorrow. Or...maybe ask your mom for a good doctor, or something."

Just then Marty thought of something and got out of bed, not carying that he was totally naked still. He then threw on his robe and walked out of the room. After walking down the hall he walked into the guest bathroom and looked in one of the drawers. He smiled big when he found what he was looking for. Walking back to his room he walked over to Kelly and handed her the test. "My sister left it here...just like three months ago...so it's not old or anything." He said slightly out of breath.

Kelly raised an eyebrow as she took the box from Marty. "How did you know this was here?"

"I saw it when I was looking for a toothbrush last night." Marty giggled a little.

Kelly took a deep breath as she started to read the side panel. "What a coincidence."

"It's a little scary if you ask me." Marty said making a face, trying to be the funny guy he was to lighten the mood...even though he was shaking in his skin.

"Yeah..." Kelly said distractedly as she carefully read the directions.

Marty just sat on the edge of the bed silently as he waited for Kelly to read the directions.

Kelly finally set the box down on the bed, then reached for her tank top to put it back on. "This sucks."

Marty reached out and took Kelly's hand. "I'm sorry, Honey."

"For what?" Kelly asked...looking into Marty's eyes.

"That you have to go through this...especially with the situation."

"What situation?" Kelly asked as she squirmed into her panties.

"You aren't supposed to be in another relationship...when you find out your pregnant with the man before baby." Marty said, thinking this wasn't exactly coming out as he wished it would. "What I mean is...it's not normal...and probably not easy."

"Probably not..." Kelly said as she threw the sheet off of her and climbed out of the bed. "...but Justin and I aren't meant to be together." As she headed into the bathroom, she wondered if this was a sign that maybe they WERE supposed to be together.

"Yeah..." Was all Marty said as he watched Kelly walk into the bathroom. Part of him wondered if maybe this meant they were supposed to be together...after all.

Kelly read the directions again...making sure she got everything straight. Then she took the test, and set the stick on the counter before going back out into Marty's room. "Ten minutes," she said...not looking at her boyfriend as she grabbed her PJ pants off the bed and put them on.

Marty nodded and reached over to set the alarm on the alarm clock for ten minutes. This was definitely beginning to turn out to be a very interesting Christmas.

Kelly took a long, deep breath...and let it out in the form of a sigh as she took a seat on the bed.

Automatically Marty wrapped Kelly into his arms and held her tightly, leaning down he kissed the top of her head. "I love you." He whispered and he still meant it.

"I love you, too," Kelly answered quietly...draping her right arm over Marty's left thigh.

Marty held Kelly in his arms for the next ten minutes. Not say much more then a few calm words of encouragement. He jumped slightly when the radio came on loudly from the clock.

Kelly took a shaky breath. "I can't..." she said...shaking her head. "I can't do it. I can't look at it."

"Want me to?" Marty asked softly, looking into Kelly's big brown eyes.

Kelly just shrugged. She didn't think it was right for her to ask him to do that.

Marty didn't wait for an actual answer and got up from the bed. Taking a deep breath he walked into the bathroom...but looked everywhere but the counter.

Kelly took a deep breath and covered her face with her hands after watching Marty walk into the bathroom.

NickyCman says:

After pacing the bathroom for a few minutes, Marty finally stopped at the counter and looked down at the test, he felt his heart fall into his stomach when he saw what it said. Taking a few seconds to compose himself he took the test and walked back into the bedroom.

Kelly uncovered her face and looked up at Marty when she heard him come into the room. "Well...?" she questioned softly after swallowing the lump in her throat.

Marty walked over to the bed and handed Kelly the test. The pink lines were bright...and very hard to miss.

Kelly shook her head and closed her eyes. "No...I don't wanna look at it. Just...tell me."

"Congrats mommy." Marty whispered, setting the test down on the nightstand so he could pull Kelly into his arms.

"Oh God," Kelly practically gasped...and broke into sobs as she fell against Marty's body.

Marty held Kelly tightly against him and rocked her in his arms. "Shh...baby it's going to be okay...you'll see...we'll figure it out...I promise."

Kelly just continued to cry in Marty's arms. She had nothing to say...and had no idea what to think.

Marty just continued to hold Kelly in his arms and whisper kind things in her ears, praying she would calm down...praying that he had the strength to know what to do.

Kelly had finally calmed down a bit after several minutes, then sniffled and wiped her eyes as she pulled back from Marty a bit. "I'm sorry. I'm a mess."

"It's understandable...I would be a mess if I was you too." Marty said with a smile.

"Damn. Could my life be any more fucked up? I get over my near-deadly eating disorder, and start hooking up with Justin. I THINK I fall in love with him...but no...it wasn't THAT kind of love. He stops fucking me for a while...moves onto Christina,...then back to me. We're not in a relationship, though...so I fuck around with his GAY friend. I know it's all wrong...so I stop things all together with Justin...and decide to be with a man who actually loves and cares for me...and wants me...JUST me. I finally find something to make me happy, and what happens? That's right...I'm knocked up by the guy I THOUGHT I was in love with...not the guy I AM in love with...and now...my career's over." By the time Kelly finished her rant, there were fresh tears falling from her eyes. "Can you even imagine what my father and my perfect big sister are gonna have to say, NOW? I'm finally the fuck up they've always dreamed I'd be."

Marty's eyes went wide and he turned Kelly's face to look into his eyes. "You are NOT a fuck up...do you hear me, Kelly Konno. You are a great woman who just seems to be getting suck in the middle of all this shit that she shouldn't have to be in. I thank God every day that you survived that eating disorder...after that...this by far isn't nearly as bad...There is a little human being growing inside of you...that is a happy thing and you know just as well as I do that Justin will be scared and nervous but he's going to be happy...so you have NOTHING to worry about...as for your job...you know just as well as I do that once you have the baby you can go back to dancing like crazy."

Kelly shook her head as she reached up to wipe her eyes again. "I don’t know, Marty. I'll be too old to dance by then. And Justin...oh my God...what if he hates me? A baby can NOT be good for his career."

Marty thought about that for a second. "Then we'll just tell the media that it's my baby." He said, knowing how that would look on him but he didn't care.

"What? No...I'd never ask you to do that. I just won't admit to who the father is."

Marty laughed a little at that. "I don't plan to hide my relationship to you...so people are going to automatically think it's mine...and I'm okay with that...but I also don't want Justin to think I'm trying to take it away from him either."

"Well...you and Justin are obviously going to have to have a serious talk. After I talk to him." Kelly sighed. Just the thought of telling Justin she was pregnant with his baby made her sick.

"Yeah...you're right." Marty sighed, running a nervous hand over his head. "I seriously hope the baby is a boy...I would be scared to be the guys that would try to date her...cuz if things stay how they are…that poor girl will have three dads." He said once again trying to lighten the mood.

Kelly had to laugh at that. "Yeah...I know," she said...her right hand automatically moving to rub her stomach.

"Well...that is definitely a Christmas present we weren't expecting." Marty said with a smile...the idea not seeming all that bad.

Kelly nodded a bit. "I'm sorry I didn't say something sooner. But at first...I thought it was nothing."

Marty leaned down and kissed Kelly lightly on the nose. "It's okay...I understand...but well...I know you don't want to...but you need to tell Justin...and like right now." He said picking up the phone and handing it to her. "I know you don't want to...but I know from experience with two of my sisters who had to tell their boyfriends this...that if you wait it's worse."

"It's still early, though. Can't I wait a while...so that he can finish Christmas morning with his brothers?"

Marty shrugged. "I suppose...but it's going to eat you alive...and you wont be able to enjoy YOUR Christmas."

"I'll be fine. I promise. And I'll call Justin this afternoon."

"Okay then." Marty smiled and laughed a little. "This day has taken some really odd turns and we've only been awake for like 2 hours."

Justin looked at Marty with a guilty expression on her face. "Are you mad...about the whole sex thing?"

Marty shook his head. "No...and I'm glad you stopped us...because this is far more important."

Kelly nodded slowly. "Umm...I think I'd still like to get the name of a doctor from your mother or one of your sisters...to go have a blood test...just to be sure."

"That's probably a good idea...we'll ask one of them...I actually think they all have had the same doctor." Marty laughed.

Kelly made a face when she realized something. "Oh no...your mom...your parents. They're gonna hate me. They're gonna think I'm some kind of tramp."

"For one you aren’t a tramp...and even if you were...but your not...they would love you anyway...the still love me don't they?"

Kelly nodded slowly. "But...you're their son. I'm really not anything to them."

Marty shook his head. "That isn't true...and it's not like you were cheating on me with Justin...we weren't together yet."

"Yeah...I know."

"They won't hate you because *I* don't hate you...I love you no matter what and I know neither you nor Justin meant for this to happen." Just then Marty thought of something. "What was his reaction when the condom broke?"

Kelly sighed as she recalled the events of that night. "He freaked a little...we both did...but then we figured it was cool cuz I'm on the pill. It wasn't until the other night that I even thought of the whole antibiotic thing."

Just then Marty thought of something else...he hated to ask this...but knew he needed to anyway. "And...don't kill me for asking this but...it's not possible the baby is Nick's...right?"

Kelly shook her head. "I highly doubt it. I mean...if anyone questions it, I'll get that test done when the fetus is old enough. But...it was too recent with him...I think."

"Nothing broke with him though, right?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...that's why, too. And plus...the pill...so...it's not his."

Marty nodded and giggled a little. "That would be pretty odd anyway...but he'll be involved in it too...if things are going as good as we think they are."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah."

"So...do you feel like facing the crowd...or do you want to stay up here today? I wouldn't mind if you just wanted to stay."

Kelly shook her head. "No...it's Christmas. If I wanted to be alone, I'd have stayed in New York."

Marty smiled. "Good point."

Kelly took a deep breath as she got up, and put her flannel pajama top on over her tank top. "I really can't believe this is happening."

"Half of the stuff that happens in life is like that." Marty whispered.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I guess so."

Standing up Marty pulled on sweats and a t-shirt and took a deep breath. "Ready to go face the music?"

Kelly nodded as she stepped in front of Marty...kissing him softly on the lips. "Thank you."

"For what?" Marty asked as they pulled back.

"For being here for me. For loving me. For not freaking out...and sticking by my side."

Marty smiled. "Ohh...all that...well it's nothing...I'm not doing anything I don't want to do."

"Tell me if it gets to be too much...OK? Promise me."

"I will...I promise."

"OK," Kelly said...kissing Marty again. "I love you."

Marty smiled big. "Love you too." With that he took her hand and led her out of his room and down to where all the excitement was.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Nick busted up laughing as he watched Jon and Steve both rip into another one of their presents. They had been going at it for almost an hour and a half now and the tree still looked like it had when they had sat down. "You think they got enough stuff?" He whispered to Justin, giggling.

Justin chuckled. "They're spoiled rotten...but the important thing is they don't act it."

"Just like their big brother." Nick said with a big smile as he rested his head against Justin's shoulder, just happy to be there with him and his family.

Justin laughed again. "Nah...they're even better than me. I tend to act like a little brat sometimes."

Nick lifted his head up a big and smirked. "No...you...never!" He laughed.

Lynn looked at Justin and Nick from across the room as she sat next to Paul. "Just look at them...they look so happy." She whispered.

Paul nodded as he sipped his coffee...a small smile on his face. "They do. And...it's strange...because I feel like it should bother me. But...it doesn't."

"Oh my god! Mom look what Justin got me!" Steven exclaimed, rushing over to show his mom the video game they had been looking all over for but could never find.

Justin had a big smile on his face as he watched his little brother. He loved making them happy.

Lisa laughed as she took the game from her son and examined the package. "Hmm...Santa couldn't even find this one. Leave it to Justin."

"Yeah, Justin has connections that even Santa doesn't." Nick laughed, snuggling closer to his boyfriend...he was still feeling a little insecure...but being around everybody on Christmas was helping a lot.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...when they close down all those downtown New York stores to get you in there to do your Christmas shopping, they make sure they get you EVERYTHING you want."

"Yeah...that was REALLY cool...I'll have to make sure to stick by you whenever I wana shop again. I think I bought way too much." Nick said laughing again.

Justin shrugged. "That's OK. Christmas only comes once a year," he said...leaning forward to get his glass of orange juice off the coffee table.

"Good point." Nick said, leaning over to grab his own glass...thinking Justin had a good idea.

It was Jon's turn to gasp with wide eyes at the gift he had just opened. "Oh wow." He said in awe.

Lisa laughed and shook her head as she watched her boys rip through some more presents. "When are you two going to take a break and let someone else open some? Did you even give Justin his presents from you yet?"

Both boys blushed and got up to grab the gifts they had for Justin. They had insisted that this year they were going to do it themselves...without their parents help so they had both made him something.

Steven handed his to Justin first and looked down at his feet nervously.

Justin took the package...a smile on his face as he carefully tore the paper. "I can't wait to see what it is."

Lisa smiled as she looked on. She knew Justin well enough to know that he was going to love the gift.

Nick smiled as he watched Justin open the present, wondering what it was.

Justin finished unwrapping the gift, and his eyes watered as soon as he saw the framed drawing of him on stage...complete with a caption that read 'My Brother the Superstar.' He took a deep breath so he wouldn't get emotional. "This is awesome, munchkin. I love it. Thank you so much."

Steven smiled big. "Really?? You like it...you don't think it's dumb?"

"Dumb? Of course not," Justin said...reaching a hand out to his baby brother. "I love it...really. In fact, I'm gonna hang it up at home...in the room where I have all my plaques and awards."

Steven's eyes went wide and blushed bright red. "That would be really cool!"

Justin chuckled. "Yes...it would."

"Okay...Mine next." Jon said handing the box he was holding to Justin.

Justin was still smiling as he opened the gift from the older boy. Again, he was completely awed by what he saw...a framed collage of ten pictures of he and Jonathan...one from each year of the boy's life. Each photo had a caption and a year labeling it. "Jon...this is incredible," he said...then looked up from the picture. "You guys both did such an amazing job. Thank you so much." He handed the frame to Nick, and got up to wrap both boys in one big hug.

Nick took the frames and looked down at them. Those were really great gifts. He then looked back up and smiled as Justin hugged both the boys.

Steven and Jon hugged Justin tight. "Love you." They both said at the same time which caused them to giggle.

Justin chuckled. "I love you guys, too...so much."

"Can we stay here and sleep with you again?" Steven asked, a huge smile on his face. He had really enjoyed doing that the pervious night.

Justin smiled as he sat back down. "Sure...of course you can...as long as it's OK with your mom." He reached over and gently squeezed Nick's knee in apology. He knew he'd told Nick HE could sleep with him that night, but he couldn't disappoint his brothers. He wanted to give them all the time and attention he could in the short time he was home...and he hoped Nick could understand that.

Sure, Nick was disappointed but he understood and smiled, not saying anything though...because it wasn't like he was going to say something about sleeping in his bed with his parents around.

"YAY!" Steven yelled and literally jumped up and down.

Justin laughed. "Is it OK with you, Lisa?"

Mista13181JT says:

Lisa nodded...a forced smile on her face as she thought about returning home alone. "Of course it is...as long as they promise to be good."

"I know I'LL be good." Steven stated and looked at Jon. "Don't know bout him, though."

Jon glared at Steven. "I'll be good...when am I not." He smirked.

"Don't make us answer that," Justin said with a chuckle.

Nick laughed and reached down to set the framed gifts on the coffee table before resting his head back down on Justin's shoulder, just content to sit back and watch all that was going on.

"Get back to your gifts, boys," Lisa instructed with a laugh. "It's going to be time for dinner by the time you finish."

Lynn laughed shaking her head. "I don't doubt that."

Without further instruction Jon and Steve went right back to their gifts each grabbing another and ripping it open.

"Mama...Lisa...I want ya'll to open yours, next," Justin said...leaning over to hand them each boxes perfectly decorated in Tiffany's wrappings.

"I think everybody liked Tiffany's this year." Nick giggled. "Kelly got a bracelet from Tiffany's...and your pen."

Justin looked at Nick curiously. "Kelly...got a bracelet? How do you know?"

Nick smirked and giggled. "I ran into Marty when I was shopping...I helped him pick it out."

Justin smiled. "Oh...that's sweet."

"The poor guy was at a total loss of what to get...and he was doing it with like an hour time before you guys had to be at rehearsal." Nick laughed.

Lynn looked down at the box and shook it. "Wonder what it is."

Justin laughed. "Open it." He was excited to see his mother's reaction to the gift. He always bought her something nice, but he'd heard her mention something about wanting pearls several times over the previous few months. So...of course...he bought her the best strand of pearls money could buy.

Lynn tore off the paper gently and then opened the box with wide eyes. "Oh my word!" She exclaimed as she lightly fingered the pearls as if she wasn't allowed to touch them. "Paul...look at these." She whispered...her voice not working right.

Nick smiled and giggled a little. "I think she likes it."

Paul leaned over to look into the box. "Wow. Those are beautiful. Even prettier than I thought they'd be."

Lynn sat the box down on Paul's lap and walked over to Justin and wrapped him in a big hug. "Thank you so much honey...they are beautiful."

Nick moved out of the way a little so Lynn and Justin could have their moment.

Justin smiled brightly as his mother embraced him. "You're welcome. I'm glad you like them."

"I more then like them...now we just gota get your dear old dad here to take me some place nice where I can wear them." Lynn laughed as she pulled back.

Justin laughed...leaning over to grab an envelope off the end table. "Ahh...well, see...your overly-brilliant son had the same thought." He handed Lynn the envelope. It read 'Mom and Dad' on the front, and contained a gift certificate for a weekend away at the most exclusive resort and Spa in Palm Springs...including a dinner at one of the most exquisite French restaurants in the country.

"You open it...I've had enough near heart attack experiences for one day." Lynn laughed handing the envelope to Paul.

Paul laughed his deep laugh as he took the envelope, and carefully opened it. When he pulled the certificate out, he read it over and smiled brightly. "Wow, Justin. This is too much. You shouldn't have done this," he said...knowing it had to have cost his step son thousands of dollars.

"Jesus...you've definitely got us beyond amazing gifts this year, honey." Lynn said as she looked at the gift certificate in her husbands hands.

Nick looked over at Lisa, seeing she still hadn't opened hers. "What did he get you, Lisa?"

"Oh...right," Lisa said with a chuckle. "I nearly forgot with all the excitement," she said...starting to tear the paper off.

"What did you get her a car?" Nick whispered jokingly .

Justin laughed and shook his head. "No."

Lisa opened the box to find a gold chain with a heart pendant. Set in the heart were two stones...Jon's birthstone, and Steven's birthstone. "Oh, Justin. Honey...this is beautiful," she said as she took it out of the box.

"Much better then a car." Nick whispered again, smiling.

"What is that mommy?" Steven asked as he walked over to stand next to his mom.

Lisa smiled as she leaned down to show Steven the necklace. "It's a heart...see? And that's your birthstone...and that one's Jonathan's..." she said...pointing out the stones. "...so I can where this all the time, and always have you with me."

"That's cool...but I like my game and my GI Joe action set much better." Steven giggled as he went over to start playing with some of the loot he got.

"So...did YOU two get each other anything?" Lynn asked, seeing that both Nick and Justin hadn't exchanged gifts.

Justin nodded. "Nick gave me my gift last night. He gave me a really nice engraved pen. It's beautiful."

"That's a nice gift," Lisa commented as she put her necklace on.

"Yeah...and Justin invited me to go with him when he goes to Europe." Nick said with a big smile on his face. "Oh and I'm supposed to go pick out jewelry or some kind...sometime."

Lisa smiled. "How wonderful."

"Then again I would of problem begged him to let me come anyway...it's still winter and I don't really feel like going back to my place where it snows contently until April." Nick said exaggerating just a tad.

Paul laughed. "Are you still planning on moving to LA after the tour?"

Nick turned to look at Justin and smiled. "Yeah...I'll most definitely be doing that."

Lisa smiled. "Will you be getting a place out there?"

"Eventually probably...but Justin is going to let me stay in his guesthouse until I get my feet off the ground. I don't know anybody in LA...well besides Justin so it will be nice for a start." Nick tried to explain, his hand subconsciously going to rest on Justin's thigh, rubbing it slowly.

Justin looked over at Nick. "Well...Marty and Kelly usually live out there, too...and some of the other dancers, and stuff. You won't be completely lost."

Nick giggled. "LA is HUGE Justin...knowing like ten people isn't going to help too much."

"Yes it will. Believe me."

"Okay I believe you." Nick smiled.

"Speaking of Kelly and Marty...how are they?" Lynn asked, not knowing about how they were together.

Justin shrugged. "Pretty good, I guess. I haven't talked to her in a couple days, but I'll call her later. I'm sure they're having a good time together."

Lynn smiled. "That's good...I'm sure they are having a good time. I miss having Kelly here though a little."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I do, too. But...she turned down my invitation before she and Marty were even together. I think she was worried about interfering...with Nick being here, and all."

Nick sighed, still feeling bad about that. "I still feel like shit for that." He said sadly. "I didn't want to kick anybody out of their spot."

"You didn't. She knows she's welcome here no matter what."

Taking a deep breath, Nick nodded. "Yeah...you're right."

Lynn looked around the room and groaned. "Okay if everything is unwrapped what do you say we clean this place up before we eat in a few hours...okay?" She said looking at the boys who were sitting in piles of wrapping paper.

Justin chuckled as he got up. "Let them be. Nick and I will clean it up."

Lisa stood up from her chair, as well. "Sounds good...and you and I can get started in the kitchen, Lynn."

Nick glared at Justin playfully. "Hey...who said I wanted to clean up."

Lynn nodded and stood up, following Lisa into the kitchen.

Justin shrugged as he started balling up wads of paper. "Fine. I'LL do it, then."

Nick laughed and joined Justin on the floor wadding up the paper. "I had a really good time today...thank you again for letting me join you and your family."

Justin smiled. "Thanks for being here. It was nice having you." He took his ball of paper to the kitchen...intent on getting some trash bags to bring back to the family room.

Nick continued to wad up paper and put it in a pile while he waited for Justin to get the trash bags. Every once and a while stopping to look at the Christmas tree with a big smile on his face.

Justin brought the bags back, and started putting the gifts in neat piles as Nick continued picking up the wrapping paper. "You boys havin a good time?"

"Yeah." Both boys just mumbled as they continued to play the new video game.

Justin laughed. "Hey...great. Let me know when ya'll come back to earth."

"Something else they get from their brother." Nick mumbled, with a smirk on his face as he crawled over to some more wrapping paper.

Justin gave Nick a kick in the ass with his stocking foot before going over to stack up the video games and DVD's his brothers had gotten.

"They are lucky...they got Pirates of The Caribbean...love the movie...but you already know that and why." Nick giggled, pretending to drool as he looked at the DVD case.

Justin rolled his eyes. "Men."

Nick rolled his eyes. "You just dissed yourself ya know."

"But I'M not a man pig. YOU are."

"Geese...aren't you such a nice boyfriend...already calling me names and it's been less then twenty-four hours." Nick teased, pouting playfully.

Justin laughed. He finished with gathering up the gifts, then joined his brothers on the floor...hoping to get a chance at playing the video game.

Seeing a brother bonding moment about to happen, Nick grabbed the trash bags and carried them into the kitchen. "Lynn...where do these go?"

Lynn looked up from where she was getting dinner ready at the counter and smiled. "Just set them by the garage door, Paul will take them out later."

Nick nodded and put the bags where he was told...then went to sit down at the kitchen table.

Lisa looked over at Nick from where she was making a salad. "Are you enjoying yourself, Nick?"

"Uh huh...I am...thank you for letting me come." Nick said once again.

Lynn laughed. "We know that honey...and I'm very glad you came."

Steven handed his brother his controller. "You can play now if you want, Justin."

Justin shrugged. "It's OK. I'll just watch."

Steven shook his head. "No...I want you to play."

Justin smiled. "Aight, then," he said...taking the controller from his brother.

"I'm gunna kid your ass." Jon laughed as he got his controller ready.

"OHHH...you said the bad word!" Steven exclaimed, bouncing up and down on his butt. "You're gunna get it now!"

"Yes...you ARE," Justin agreed...giving Jon a gentle shove. "Watch your mouth."

"Opps...sorry." Jon said with a guilty look on his face.

Steven snickered as he sat back to watch his older brothers play the game.

"Alright...start this thing," Justin said...ready to play.

Jon moved his fingers over the controls and got the game set up to play.

Nick got up from the table and walked to stand in the doorway, wanting to watch Justin and the boys play...but not wanting to be in the way.

Justin picked the blue car...then laughed. "You're toast."

"Nut uh...you are." Jon laughed as he picked the bright yellow car. Once the game started, he got a look of pure concentration on his face, tongue sticking out and leaning forwards as he moved his car around curves and through tunnels.

Justin got the same look on his face...the one he always had on his face while he played video games...as he controlled his car with his entire upper body.

Nick laughed from where he was standing at the door. It was adorable Jon was like a mini Justin.

"Haha...see I'm first." Jon said as he raced around another corner perfectly.

Justin smirked as he continued playing...not even hinting that he was letting his brother win. Truth be told, he had mastered this game before it was even available to the public.

Thinking he didn't have anything to lose, Nick walked over to the guys and sat down on the other side of Justin to watch them play.

"YAY! See told ya I was better!" Jon exclaimed as his car finished first. Smirking he stood up to do a victory dance around the family room.

Justin laughed and handed the controller to Nick. "Nice job, Jon. Now see if you can beat Nick."

Nick shook his head like crazy. "Nut uh...no way...You know the only thing I'm good at is Tetris."

"Just try it. It's not hard."

"This is going to be pathetic." Nick mumbled as he took the controller and they started to play the game again.

"You aren't bad." Jon said as he struggled to stay in first place with Nick ganging up on him.

Justin smiled as he watched his boyfriend playing with his brothers. He was thrilled that they both liked Nick so much.

Jon ended up winning the race again, but Nick wasn't far behind and got second place. "Good, Job Nick...it wasn’t hard." Jon said with a smile.

Nick smiled back. "You're right it wasn't."

"Play again," Justin said...leaning over to kiss Nick's shoulder over his t-shirt sleeve.

"Do I get another kiss if I play again?" Nick asked with a chuckle.

Justin laughed. "No."

Nick pouted. "Well...that ain't fair...but I'll do it anyway." He said getting ready to start again.

Justin pulled Steven into his lap, and kissed the top of his head as he watched the game on the TV.

Steven yawned as he leaned back in Justin's arms. He was tired from being up so early and all the excitement of the day.

This time, Nick won the race and he smiled proudly. "Wow...I did it." He said, actually shocked that he had.

Justin laughed. "I knew you'd get the hang of it."

"Yeah and now my fingers are sore." Nick laughed as he wiggled his fingers. "I think I was pressing down to hard."

Justin laughed again. "Yeah...but the more you play, the more the pain reduces."

"You trying to get me to be a video game addict, Mr. Timberlake?" Nick asked with a smirk as he handed the controller to Steven again, wanting to give him another turn before he passed out.

Steven took the controller and started to race Jon, climbing off of Justin’s lap so he could play better.

Justin looked at Nick as he let go of Steven. "I don't have to try. It'll happen on it's own eventually...just from spending time with me."

Nick laughed and climbed onto Justin's lap. "There...the guy who doesn't play gets to sit on this nice comfy chair." He giggled.

"No...he doesn't," Justin said with a laugh...playfully shoving Nick off his lap. He was joking about it, but he actually wasn't sure he wanted to be THAT intimate with Nick around his family yet.

Nick got off of Justin and laughed. He hadn't been expecting to stay on his lap...That was just too weird to be doing...but it was funny for a second. So, he opted to just sit next to Justin and rest his head on his shoulder to watch the boys play. "Some time we gota go back to your little house to be alone for a few." He whispered, looking up at Justin with his. 'I really want to kiss you' eyes.

Justin chuckled. "Later...maybe."

Nick nodded and rested his head back down, hoping Later wasn't too far away, since they were going to have the boys with them again that night.

"How are things in here?" Paul asked as he strolled into the room.

"I keep beating everybody!" Jon giggled as he continued to race hsi car around the track against his little brother.

Paul laughed as he took a seat on the couch. "Nice work."

Feeling a little weird for some reason, Nick picked up his head and scooted so his body wasn't touching Justin's.

Steven pouted when Jon won again but quickly got into the next race.

"He even beat me," Justin said with a laugh.

Paul smiled widely. "Now THAT'S impressive."

Justin sighed quietly as he got up off the floor and stretched. "Why don't we got get dressed, Nick," he suggested...knowing that dinner was well on it's way to being ready.

Nick looked down at his PJ pants and t-shirt and laughed. "Probably a good idea...dinner in your PJs isn't right." He said standing up as well.

Paul laughed. "Maybe we'll be dressed by the time you get back, too."

Nick just laughed and headed to the kitchen so they could head outside.

"We're gonna go get dressed, mama," Justin said on the way through the kitchen.

"Okay dear...Dinner should be ready in an hour or so." Lynn said with a smile as she watched Justin and Nick walk out of the house.

"OK," Justin called over his shoulder...heading out into the yard and toward his house.

Nick padded his stocking feet down the cobble stones. "What are we gunna have for dinner?"

Justin laughed as he opened his front door. "I don't even know."

Nick laughed as he walked inside. "I'm sure it'll be good whatever it is...I'm getting hungry."

"Yeah...me too."

Yawning loudly, Nick went to flop back on his bed for a second, his eyes looking up at the ceiling.

"You OK?"

"Yup...I'm perfectly fine...Just relaxing here for a sec." Nick said as he propped himself up on his elbows, looking over at Justin.

"OK," Justin said with a smile. "You rest, then...get your bearings...and I'll go shower first."

"Aww...I don't get to come?" Nick whined, only half joking.

Justin chuckled. "No...not this time. We should be quick and get back."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Yeah I know...so go move that hot ass of yours so I can take my shower."

Justin laughed, "Sure thing," he said...then headed for the bedroom.

*****@****

Marty handed Kelly the filled plate with all the things she wanted and sat down next to her a smile on his face. "Are you having a good time?"

Kelly gave Marty a small smile after setting her plate down in front of her. "Yes...of course. Thank you," she replied. She WAS enjoying herself...but she couldn't get the dread of telling Justin about the baby out of the back of her head.

Setting his own plate down, Marty leaned over and Kissed Kelly on the cheek. "Just take deep breaths...as soon as we get through this dinner we are free to do whatever we want to and relax and talk or whatever." He whispered in her ear before he pulled back. He knew Kelly was scared and worried and he was trying to do everything he could think of to keep her spirits up.

Kelly nodded as she unfolded her linen napkin and put it on her lap. She was really glad to have Marty's support.

Becky, Marty's youngest sister was sitting next to Kelly, with her three month old daughter on her lap. "Are you okay, Kelly? You seem a little out of it?" She asked sweetly. Her and Kelly had gotten along really well all the other times they had gotten together and had kept in touch some when they were on tour and such.

Kelly looked at Becky and smiled. "I'm fine, thanks," she replied...her smile growing as she glanced at the baby on her lap.

Becky smiled down at her daughter. "Taylor say hi to Kelly." She said to the baby and made the little girl wave.

Marty watched this and smiled big. Yeah, Kelly was scared to death...but he knew deep down she was going to be a good mother...a lot like his sisters were.

Kelly reached her hand out toward the baby, and smiled again when she wrapped her tiny little hand around her index finger. "Hi there, little one."

"Do you want to hold her?" Becky asked, smiling up at Kelly. "I promise you she won't spit up on you or anything."

Kelly chuckled softly...taking her hand away. "No, thanks...maybe after dinner," she answered...turning her attention to her food.

Becky nodded with a smile and got up to put Taylor into her baby seat located on a small table right behind the larger dining table.

Marty reached under the table to put his hand on Kelly's thigh gently as he ate with his other hand.

Kelly kept quiet as she ate...sorting through her many thoughts. She just picked at her food a bit...not really feeling all that hungry.

"Kelly, honey are you not feeling well...You haven't eaten much all day." Janet stated, worried about the young woman.

Kelly looked up at Marty's mother and smiled. "No...I'm fine...just not too hungry."

Janet looked at Kelly skeptically but nodded her head and went back to talking with one of her son-in-laws.

"Are we going to wait to tell them?" Marty whispered.

Kelly nodded...looking at Marty. "I don't wanna tell anyone," she whispered back.

Marty nodded his head and smiled a little, giving her leg a small squeeze. "I understand."

Kelly smiled at Janet again. "Dinner's delicious. You did an excellent job," she said before sipping her water.

Janet smiled back. "Thank you...I'm glad you enjoy it."

"Of course I'm enjoying it. You're a wonderful cook."

"But you haven't even eaten much of it." Noah, Marty's oldest nephew stated.

"I'm not a big eater," Kelly answered simply.

Marty glared at his nephew...that kid really got on his nerves he was 17 and a pain in the ass.

"Don't fucking glare at me Marty." Noah exclaimed, crossing his tattooed arms over his chest.

"NOAH Christopher!" Beverly, Chris, and Janet both yelled.

Marty was out of his chair in a second and leaning over the table, looking Noah right in the eye. "You talk like that again...at his table and I'll make sure you know not to do it again." He hissed.

Kelly sighed and sat back in her chair. She wasn't surprised that she was causing more problems.

Janet looked at her son in shock...Marty had never been aggressive at all and sighed.

Embarrassed about his outburst, Marty sat back down and looked at his plate. He hadn't meant to lash out like that...even if Noah had said something really crude...it wasn't like him at all.

Kelly took a deep breath and got up from her seat. "Excuse me...please," she said quietly before leaving the room. She didn't want to be the cause of any more tension at the Christmas dinner table.

Feeling like shit, Marty quickly got up and followed Kelly out of the room. "Kel...I'm sorry about that." He whispered as soon as they were both in the living room and out of hearing distance from the rest of the family.

"Don't be...it's my fault. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been attracting everyone's attention all day."

"What? You can't be serious...nothing has been your fault...You're just being paranoid because you feel like everybody can tell something is different." Marty said as he wrapped his arms around Kelly from behind. "Noah has been a jerk ever since his parents started having issues a few years ago. I mean look at the guy he looks like he would fit in with a tribe in Africa the way his body is punched with so many holes. I wouldn't be surprised if he has his cock priced." He winced at that idea, but hoped he kept the conversation light enough.

Kelly winced. "That's just wrong."

Marty laughed and nodded. "Yeah it was...wrong mental pictures."

"Yeah...definitely," Kelly agreed...leaning back against Marty.

"Do you want to finish dinner...or do you want to get out of here?" Marty whispered in Kelly's ear as he kissed the back of her neck. "I don't think anybody is expecting us to come back."

Kelly shrugged. "I don't care. Whatever."

"You know how you were going to ask my mom or sisters about doctors...why don't we just go to the hospital instead. There might be a long wait but then again it is Christmas day..." Marty rambled, not sure what Kelly thought of the whole thing. He personally wanted to get the finding out for sure and telling down as soon as possible so they could figure out what to do.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I think the emergency room is a good idea."

"Okay, then let's go grab our coats and go. No use in stalling anymore." Marty said as he led Kelly up the stairs, not letting go of her hand, knowing she probably needed the contact as did he.

Kelly let go of Marty's hand once they got into his room...and went over to get her purse off his desk. "I'm kinda scared to do this."

Marty smiled as he grabbed their coats out of his closet. "Honey, I wouldn't blame you for being terrified."

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. I mean...it's like...I already know...but I don't. Ya know?"

"It will seem more real with a Doctor or a nurse tells you." Marty said, showing that he understood. "I was there with Becky found out about Taylor...she already knew because of the home test...but yeah it's totally different hearing it from a doctor." He said as he helped Kelly on with her coat.

"Yeah...I can imagine," Kelly said a bit distractedly as she shrugged her coat onto her shoulders.

Throwing on his own coat he took a deep breath and took Kelly's hand. "Ready?"

"Yeah...let's just do this."

"Okay...then let's go." Marty said with a small smile as he grabbed his keys off his desk and then headed out the bedroom door. Still holding onto Kelly's hand he led her down the stairs and without saying anything to the rest of his family he led her out the front door and down the walk to his Expedition. Unlocking the passenger side door he helped Kelly inside, before going around and getting in himself.

Kelly buckled up, then looked over at Marty once he was in the car. "Shouldn't we have told someone we were leaving? Your mom, at least?"

Marty thought about that a second and took out his cell phone. He quickly called his mom and told her he and Kelly were taking a drive and would be back later. After talking for another few minutes he hung up the phone and smiled sheepishly. "Okay...now we're set to go." He said as he buckled up and backed out of the driveway.

"What did she say?"

"She wanted to know what was going on but understood if we didn't want to tell...and that she'll see us when we come home." Marty answered as he drove down the street heading for the highway.

Kelly nodded...turning her head to look out the window. "OK...thanks."

The close to half an hour drive was done in silence. Marty wasn't really sure what to say to Kelly...because he knew that no matter how many times he told her it would be okay...he knew he could be lying. He didn't know what Justin was going to say...or about how the rest of their lives were going to go. All he knew was that HE was going to stick by her side no matter what happened.

Kelly sighed as Marty pulled his SUV into the hospital parking lot. "I don't wanna go in there," Kelly said in a child-like fashion. She felt as if walking into that building could change her life forever.

Marty found a parking spot and turned the car off. Sighing he slid over into the middle seat and took both of Kelly's hands in his. "No matter what we find out in here...today...I'm not going to stop loving you. I know I'm not the baby's father and all...but I want you to know that." As he said this, his eyes never left Kelly's, in hope that she would understand how honest he was.

Kelly smiled as she nodded. "I know, Marty. And...I hope you know how much that means to me."

Marty smiled back. "Good...I'm glad and I think I do know. With one last deep breath, Marty scooted back into his seat and opened the door. Getting out he walked around to Kelly's side and opened her door. "It doesn't look too busy here...guess not many people have decided to do death defying stunts today."

Kelly laughed quietly as she took Marty's hand and headed for the Emergency Room entrance. Once inside, she got in the back of the short line at the check-in desk...not letting go of Marty's hand.

Marty squeezed Kelly's hand as they stood in line. He hoped Kelly couldn't tell how nervous HE was over the whole thing. It didn't help that his nerves were shot to hell because of his own health problems but he ignored it. Kelly needed him and that was all that mattered.

"This sucks," Kelly mumbled as she moved up to next in line.

"What does...standing in line?" Marty asked, confused because they were already second in line.

"No...just...the whole thing."

Marty didn't have a chance to respond when they got up to the counter.

"Hello...how may I help you?" A young woman probably not much older then Kelly asked from behind a computer.

Kelly cleared her throat. "Umm...yes. I need a blood test."

"Okay...name please?" The woman asked again as she typed something into the computer.

"Kelly Konno. K-O-N-N-O."

Once again the woman typed something into the computer before looking up again. "Okay and the reason for the test?"

Marty couldn't help but glare at the woman. He hated how she could ask these questions like they were nothing. But then again she probably asked them a trillion times a day...but still he couldn't seem to keep his anger in check today.

"I think I'm pregnant. I just wanna be sure," Kelly said quietly...as if she didn't want the others in line to overhear her.

The woman smiled a little for the first time and nodded. "Okay...just go sit over there it should only be a few minutes and somebody will come out ot get you." She said pointing at the chairs over on the other side of the room.

"Thank you." Marty said before steering Kelly in the direction of the chairs.

"This place is giving me the creeps," Kelly said as she sat down and crossed her legs.

"Me too...I HATE hospitals." Marty shivered slightly as he looked around. "Hopefully this doesn't take too long."

"Hopefully it takes forever...so I never have to call Justin."

Marty wrapped his arm around Kelly and pulled her close to him. "Kel...I think we've both known Justin long enough to know he's going to be mature about this. I know I can't promise he'll be cool with it...but I have a really good feeling he will be.

Kelly sighed quietly. "I really hope so."

Like the woman at the desk and said a nurse quickly appeared at the front of the room. "Kelly Konno?"

Kelly took a deep breath as she uncrossed her legs and stood up. "I guess I'll be right back."

Marty was going to ask if she wanted him to come too...but it was just taking blood and would only take like two seconds so there wasn't really a point. Smiling big he nodded. "Okay...and just take deep breath's you'll be okay."

The middle aged nurse smiled. "Right this way, Miss."

Kelly took one more deep breath as she followed the nurse down the hall.

The nurse led Kelly into a small ER exam room and closed the curtain. "Okay, honey go ahead and hop up here and we'll get this done in no time." She said kindly.

She said kindly, patting the hospital bed.*

Kelly smiled half-heartedly as she took off her coat, then rolled up her sleeve as she hopped up onto the bed.

After a minute or so the nurse had the needle ready and started to prepare Kelly's arm. Once that was done she smiled at Kelly. "Okay this might hurt a bit." With that she stuck Kelly's arm and drew the blood she needed.

Kelly looked away from her arm and squeezed her eyes shut tightly as the nurse took her blood.

After only a few seconds the nurse quickly put gauze and surgical tape over the small hole. "Okay...all set...I will take this to the lab and it should be done in about 10 minutes...give or take about ten hours." She joked.

Kelly smiled as she rolled her sleeve down. "OK...thanks."

With another smile, the nurse walked out of the room, leaving Kelly alone to wait for the results.

Kelly took a long, deep breath as she ran her hand through her hair. She felt like she was about to be faced with the moment of truth that was going to dictate how the rest of her life was going to go.

It took twenty minutes for the nurse to come back with the results of the test. Closing the curtain behind her she smiles softly. "Honey...you are pregnant."

Kelly sighed quietly and closed her eyes. She started tearing up...but didn't break into sobs like she had when she'd taken the home test.

"Do you remember when your last period was...or do you have any idea of when you got pregnant?" The nurse asked calmly.

Kelly thought for a moment. "Around the twelfth...of November."

The nurse nodded. "Then you're probably around a month pregnant right now...I would suggest getting to a OB within the next few weeks so you can get a check up and figure out a due date and everything." She said with her normal smile.

Kelly nodded slowly...trying to take everything in. "I will."

"Whenever your ready you may go. Good lucky honey." The nurse said softly as she walked out of the room to go see other patients

Kelly sighed as she got up and put her coat on. She knew she needed to get to a doctor as soon as possible...because she didn't get nearly as much information out of the nurse as she would have liked.

Marty sat in the waiting room nervously bouncing his left leg up and down. It was a time like this he could REALLY use a good cup of coffee...or something stronger.

Kelly finally made her way back to the waiting room. She walked right over to Marty and sat beside him...resting her head on his shoulder. She didn't feel ready to walk to the car yet.

Automatically, Marty wrapped his arm around Kelly and held her tightly, leaning over to kiss her hair. "How'd it go?"

"It went," Kelly said simply...not feeling as though she needed to say more. She knew Marty already knew the results.

Marty sighed and tried to calm his own nerves. "Everything is going to be okay." He whispered, knowing Kelly just needed to hear that.

"We'll see," Kelly said quietly...then sat silently for a moment before going on. "We're going to need to go to LA...ASAP...and get an alternate ready for the tour...cuz I can't dance. I mean...I'll still go to Europe and do my thing as your assistant, or whatever...but we need to replace me in the show." As usual, Kelly was concerned about making sure everything with everyone else was taken care of.

Marty sighed and nodded. "Yeah...you're right we do need to do that. I'll call and get us tickets out tomorrow."

Kelly nodded her head against Marty's shoulder...still not moving.

"We can't stay sitting here for, forever Kel." Marty said with a small smile as he kissed the top of Kelly's head again.

Kelly took a deep breath and stood up. "OK...let's go."

Marty took Kelly's hand and let her out of the ER and back towards the SUV. Once there he opened the door for her before going around to get in himself. It had started to snow harder while they were inside and he groaned thinking about driving home in it.

Kelly buckled up and relaxed back against the seat. "Take your time. Drive slow...OK?"

"Of course." Marty said as he just sat there for a minute, not making any moves to turn the car on just yet.

Kelly dropped her head to the side to look at Marty. "I guess I may as well call Justin, now...huh?" she asked...uncertainty in her voice.

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "Now is probably as good of a time as any."

"I should probably get it over with."

"Yeah."

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Kelly quietly looked out the window for a few minutes…deep in her thoughts. After a short time…she took a deep breath, pulled her phone out of her purse, and dialed Justin’s number. She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the head rest as she listened to it ring on the other end.

Marty sat in the driver’s seat of his Expedition and started the car to head home. He glanced at Kelly out of the corner of his eye as she held the phone to her ear. Taking a deep breath he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.

Justin felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, and pulled it out to check the caller ID. He wasn’t going to answer it unless it was someone important. He smiled when he saw it was Kelly, and excused himself from the table as he answered it. “Hey, baby girl. Merry Christmas.”

Kelly managed a small smile…as well as a cheery voice. “Merry Christmas, sweetie. How are things down south?”

“Things are great,” Justin replied as he took his phone out into the back yard and sat in one of the chairs at the patio table. “Let’s see…we opened presents for like…six hours this morning. And we just finished a HUGE dinner. I’m having a great time. It’s so good to be home.”

Kelly’s heart sank. She hated that she had to give Justin news that would probably ruin his high spirits. “That’s great. I’m glad,” she said…then paused to clear her throat. “How are your brothers…and the family? They must be thrilled to see you.”

“Yes…they are. And everyone’s good. They loved your gifts. And so did I. Thank you so much for the picture. It‘s great.” Justin was referring to the blown up, framed photo of him with all his dancers from earlier in the tour that Kelly had given him…each member of the group having written a message on the picture. He’d loved the gift.

Kelly smiled. “Oh, good. I’m glad.” She lifted her head off the head rest to go back to looking out the window.

“I still have your gift,” Justin said as he propped his feet up on the chair across from him. “I’ll give it to you as soon as I see you.”

“Don‘t worry about it. So…what about your father? How are things with him?”

Justin sighed. “Shitty, to say the least. He’s an ass, Kel. Nothing new.”

“I’m sorry, hun.”

“Yeah…me too. But now…he’s having issues with the boys and Lisa, too. They came to my mom’s house with me last night to have Christmas here with us because he was acting like such a bastard yesterday.”

Kelly sighed. “That’s ridiculous. I’m so sorry.”

Justin took a deep breath. “Whatever. I’m not worrying about it today. It’s Christmas.”

Nick walked out into the patio to catch a break from all the commotion going on in the house. The boys were busy playing with all their new toys and he just needed to get away to catch his breath. He made sure to sit across the patio from Justin, wanting to give him his space as he talked on the phone.

“Yeah…you’re right,” Kelly said…her stomach starting to turn.

“So what about you? How’s Christmas in Salt Lake with Marty? Cold enough up there for you?” Justin asked with a chuckle…looking over at Nick across the yard.

Kelly laughed quietly. “Colder than anywhere we’ve been lately,” she said. “But…it’s been great. It’s beautiful and quiet up here…and I’m really enjoying myself. Marty’s family’s great.”

Marty smiled when he heard Kelly say she was having a good time. He only wished that could be truer. The last few days had been full of crazy moments, even though there had been some good. Now he just wished it would slow down…instead of getting worse.

“Good…I’m glad. You deserve to have a good Christmas, Kelly Bell.”

Kelly’s eyes started to fill with tears. “Thanks, Justin,” she said…even though she didn’t necessarily believe it herself.

Justin noticed the hesitation and tone change in Kelly’s voice. “OK…something’s wrong,” he said knowingly. “What is it, Kelly?”

Marty glanced at Kelly again when they were stopped at a red light. Smiling softly, he placed a comforting hand on Kelly’s knee…wanting to give her at least a little support.

Kelly took a long, deep breath. This was it. It was time to tell Justin…whether she liked it or not. “Justin…I need to tell you something. It’s not something I really want to tell you over the phone…or necessarily on Christmas…but it can’t wait.”

Marty continued to rub Kelly’s knee gently as he drove towards home. He was thankful that it was a half an hour drive and maybe even more with the weather. This way it gave Kelly time to finish her phone call…or at least get a good chunk of it out of the way.

Justin set his feet on the ground and leaned forward in his seat…suddenly very concerned. “OK. Well…what is it?”

Kelly sighed quietly…silent tears slipping down her cheeks. “Justin…I’m scared. This is big. I don’t know how you’re going to react…”

Justin swallowed hard. “Kelly…baby…what is it? You know you can tell me anything. Come on, now…you’re scaring me.”

Nick glanced over at Justin when he heard his side of the conversation. He wondered what Kelly was telling him that was causing Justin to get that scared look on his face.

Kelly closed her eyes…praying she wouldn’t throw up…because she really felt like she was going to. After taking another deep breath, she finally answered Justin. “J…I’m…I’m pregnant.”

Marty let out a deep breath he hadn’t know he had been holding when he heard Kelly say the words. Now it was all up to how Justin was going to react.

Justin’s eyes fell shut, and all the air expelled from his lungs…like he had just been punched in the chest. He was nauseous…and dizzy…and felt like he was going to faint. He didn’t think he could speak if he tried.

Nick got even more worried when he saw Justin’s face turn a weird shade of white and he looked like somebody had punched him in the gut. He didn’t move though, thinking Justin still needed time alone. That didn’t keep him from watching him like a hawk ready to pounce and help at any minutes.

Kelly got nervous when Justin didn’t respond. She was terrified that her fears had come true, and that Justin hated her. She sniffled quickly as fresh tears filled her eyes. “Justin…say something…please. Anything.”

Justin breathed deeply before finally speaking. “I…are you…sure?” he asked quietly into the phone as he turned in his seat a bit…not wanting to be overheard.

Seeing Justin turn away from him, Nick knew that was his cue that Justin really wanted to be left alone. Getting up he walked off the patio and down to the rest of the yard. Thinking he would take a little walk, knowing Justin would find him if he really wanted to talk.

Kelly let out a sigh of relief…just from hearing Justin finally say something to her. “Yes…I’m sure. I took the test this morning. And…I just went to have a blood test at the hospital.”

“And…you’re sure it’s mine?” Justin asked instinctively…even though he knew about Kelly’s sex life, so he knew damn well it was.

“Yes.“ Kelly sniffled and quickly wiped her eyes. “I’m…four weeks…along.”

Marty listened to Kelly’s side of the conversation quietly. Part of him wondered what Justin was saying, but part of him was happy he didn’t know. If he was saying anything to make Kelly upset he knew that it would take all his power to not get angry at Justin.

Justin sighed…bringing his hand to his forehead to rub it. “So…that night with the condom. Your birthday…”

“Yeah,” Kelly said…then took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry, Justin,” she said sadly…new tears stinging her eyes again. “I never meant for it to happen. It wasn’t supposed to end up like this.”

“Kel…baby…stop,” Justin said gently…knowing that he had to gain control of himself, and make Kelly realize that she had nothing to be sorry for.

“No, Justin…I can’t stop,” she said…then let out a quick sob. “I can’t believe I let this happen. You’re young…and in the prime of your career. You don’t want a baby.”

“But you’re getting one.” Marty mumbled to himself as he continued to drive.

“Kelly…listen to me, girl. It just happened…OK? You didn’t sabotage that condom. You didn’t LET it happen.”

Kelly sniffled and took a deep breath…trying to control her crying. “Then why do I feel so responsible? Why do I feel like I’m ruining your life?”

Justin took a deep breath to calm his shaky nerves. “First of all…I’m just as responsible for this as you are. There’d be no baby if it wasn’t for my sperm.” He paused to take another deep breath, then continued. “And second of all…Kelly…you’re not ruining my life. I mean…NO…I definitely wasn’t expecting to have a child anytime soon. And YES…some adjustments to my life are going to have to be made…but same goes for you, too. In fact…you’ll probably need to make more changes than *I* will.” Justin paused again to collect his thoughts, then sighed quietly before he spoke again. “Kel…being hit with this is making me scared shitless…and I’m sure you feel the same way. But…baby…we can do this. We’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know, Justin…”

Justin closed his eyes as he swallowed hard. “Kelly…I don’t know what you’re thinking…but I need to tell you that I don’t believe in abortion.”

Kelly’s eyes widened and she practically gasped. “What? Oh GOD no, Justin. The thought never even crossed my mind. I mean…THAT isn’t even an option.”

Justin let out a quiet sigh of relief. “OK. Good. So…I’m assuming your plan is to keep it, then?”

Kelly sniffled…using her free hand to take a tissue out of her purse and wipe her nose. “Yes. I mean…I decided that almost immediately…as soon as I found out. As scared as I was…as I AM…I knew I wanted to keep this baby and raise it…whether you felt the same…or not.”

“Are you saying that…you’ve actually had thoughts that I might not want to have a part in raising my child?” Justin asked…his voice taking on a hurt tone.

Kelly took a deep breath. “Yes…it’s crossed my mind. But Justin…I don’t know what I’m thinking about ANYTHING right now.”

“Yeah…I know,” Justin said in a still-sad tone.

Kelly sighed quietly. “J…to be honest…I’ve been praying all day that you wouldn’t tell me to go to Hell and hang up on me. That you’d be the wonderful, caring, loving man I KNOW you are…and want to be there for this baby. But…I just didn’t wanna get my hopes up.”

“Kelly…this is definitely a HUGE shock for both of us. But…with the way MY father treats ME…and the way YOUR father’s treated YOU…I couldn’t even imagine not being a big part of my child’s life…even if it’s the LAST thing I’m ready for right now.” Justin paused to take a deep breath…tears welling in in his eyes. “I would NEVER want my kid to have a relationship like that with his or father.”

Kelly managed a smile even as she cried fresh tears. “I know, Justin. And…I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Marty saw the smile on Kelly’s face and that caused him to smile too. He was really happy that Justin seemed to be taking the news maturely like he had thought he would.

“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. I can only imagine how you’re feeling right now. I understand that you’re confused, and shit.”

“Yeah. That’s a good way to explain it.” Kelly paused to wipe her nose with her tissue again. “So…what’s gonna happen now?”

Justin sat back in his chair as he stared out over the still pool. “Well…I don’t know. Do you…umm…are you expecting us to…be together?”

“No,” Kelly answered…probably a bit too quickly. “Well…I mean. I’m with Marty…” she said…her voice trailing off. She didn’t want to hurt or offend Justin if he actually DID think they should be together.

Hearing Kelly say that caused Marty to giggle a little as he drove. It was then that he wished he could see or even hear Justin’s reaction to that.

“Yeah…I know…” Justin said…sounding almost relieved. “…and I have Nick…so…”

“Yeah…so…” Kelly didn’t know what to say. The moment had suddenly become awkward.

“We definitely need to get together…soon…” Justin said. “…to talk about things…like what’s gonna happen next…ya know? Me…you…and Marty…”

“Yes…I think so,” Kelly agreed…sniffling one more time as she finally stopped crying. “Marty and I are gonna head to LA…probably tomorrow…to start getting one of the alternates ready for the tour…since I obviously won’t be dancing.”

Marty sighed and shook his head. He didn’t like that Kelly had to leave the tour but of course it was what had to happen. He was going to miss her as a dancing partner even if he did get her as his girlfriend.

Justin sighed quietly. That thought made him sad. He loved dancing and performing with Kelly. “Yeah. So…how bout I meet ya’ll in LA, then? That way we can get things sorted out before we take up our New Years plans.”

“Alright. Sounds like a plan.”

Justin took a long, deep breath. “Thank you for calling me right away…and for being honest with me. I’m sure you were terrified to tell me.”

“Scared shitless.”

Justin chuckled. “You don’t ever have to be scared of me, Kelly Bell. You know that.”

“I know, J…but it’s just an all-around scary situation.”

“I know…and I’m proud of you for handling the news well…for the most part.”

Kelly smiled as she looked out the window. “Thanks. I’M proud of YOU, too.”

Justin breathed deeply. “And Kel…you shocked the hell out of me with this…but honestly…I’m cool with it. Happy, even. I mean…we’re gonna have a baby.”

Kelly’s smile grew. “I know. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“Very much so,” Justin said with a sigh. “OK…go try to enjoy the rest of your Christmas, OK? And I’ll call and check up on you tomorrow.”

“OK, sweetie. Tell everyone Merry Christmas.”

“Will do, baby girl. You too.”

“Bye, J.”

“Bye, Kelly.”

As Kelly hung up the phone, Marty squeezed Kelly’s leg a little and smiled at her. “Good, Job honey…I’m proud of you.”

*****@*****

Justin flipped his phone shut and put it in his pocket, then sighed loudly as he covered his face with his hands. He couldn't seem to come to terms with everything he'd just heard. Everything he'd told Kelly was true. He WAS happy about the baby after the initial shock...and he WOULD be a good father. But nothing could take away the incredible shock value at that moment. After taking a few deep breaths and composing himself, he went into the house to find his mother cleaning the kitchen. "Mama...can we talk? Alone...?"

Lynn automatically got worried when she heard Justin say that but nodded. "Of course, honey." She said going to sit down at the kitchen table. "Is everything okay?"

Justin sat down beside his mother...looking down at the table. "I really don't know."

"Well...obviously something is bothering you...Did you and Nick fight about something?" Lynn asked...thinking that was a logical explanation to why Justin was acting the way he was.

Justin shook his head. "No, mama...that was Kelly on the phone," he said...looking up at his mother.

Lynn's eyes got even more worried. "Oh no...Is something wrong with Kelly?"

Justin took a deep breath. He hated having to tell his mother this. He knew he could go to her with anything, but he was so scared of disappointing her. "She's pregnant."

It took a second for Lynn to grasp what Justin was saying...when she finally understood she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "With your baby I'm assuming." She said softly.

Justin nodded as he diverted his gaze. He couldn't look his mother in the eye.

Lynn sighed and took another deep breath. "Well...you guys need to figure out what you're going to do? I mean are you going to get back together?"

Justin shook his head. "No...I don't think so. I mean...she's got Marty, now...and I'm with Nick."

"So, all FOUR of you are going to need to figure out what to do." Lynn pointed out, wanting to make sure her son understood how crazy this was going to get. She knew it had been an accident...but she was a little upset that he hadn't protected himself and let this happen.

Justin shook his head. "No...the THREE of us. Nick doesn't have anything to do with this."

Lynn looked at Justin confused. "How do you see that?"

"I mean...yeah. He's my boyfriend...and I'm gonna have a kid...but he doesn’t have to be involved in the whole 'figuring out' process. What needs to be figured out is what MY role is going to be...and what Marty's role is going to be...since he's the one who's going to be with her all the time." Justin paused and took a deep breath. "I mean...he's gonna need to know that she may be HIS girlfriend...but that's MY baby...not his."

Lynn closed her eyes and stayed silent for a second as she tried to process everything. This was a big problem her son had gotten himself into. After a second she opened her eyes. "You do realize this isn't going to be easy at all." She said softly. "No matter how hard you try people are going to get hurt."

Justin nodded...looking down again. "I know...even you. You're disappointed in me, aren't you?"

"A little yes." Lynn answered honestly. "But you're a grown man and make your own choices. I'm more worried then I am disappointed. I see some really hard times in the future that are different then any normal couple having a baby. I'm very proud of you for wanting to be a father to this baby...but it's not going to be easy if you aren't the one who is dating Kelly."

"I know that, mama...but we're not in love," Justin said...then looked up at his mother when he realized what she'd said. "Wait a minute...do you think I wasn't...careful?"

Lynn shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure what to think in that area."

"I wasn't acting irresponsibly. The condom broke one night."

Lynn sighed, feeling bad. "I'm sorry, Honey...I shouldn't of even thought that...I know you know better."

Justin sighed quietly. "Of course I do. I wouldn't go looking for this to happen."

"I know you wouldn't" Lynn whispered as she wrapped her son in a hug. "I love you Justin."

Justin took a deep breath as he rested his head on his mother's shoulder. "What am I gonna do, mama?"

Lynn was silent for a second and then sighed. "Be there for Kelly...be a good father and try as hard as you can to work out something with Marty. From what I know of the man he's got a level head on his shoulders and probably already expects you to want to be a father to his baby."

Justin nodded. "I know. And I mean...he's one of my best friends. But...it's gonna be hard...with him being around her all the time. It'll only be natural for him to take care of Kelly AND the baby."

"It will definitely be untraditional that's for sure. But the again what family is now days, huh?" Lynn said with a small smile on her face.

Justin nodded again. Yeah...that's true. And besides...I know he'll realize it's MY child... not try to be its actual father."

Lynn nodded back and kissed Justin on the cheek lightly. "I'm sure everything is going to work out...I'm not saying things wont be touchy for a while, but you are all adults and I know you'll come to some agreement that you all will at least be able to tolerate.

Justin sighed. "I hope so."

"Where's Nick? I haven't seen him since he walked out the door a little while ago when you were talking on the phone." Lynn asked.

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. I saw him out there, but he walked off into the yard."

Lynn moved Justin's head off her shoulder gently so she could look him in the eye. "So, when are you going to get together with Kelly and Marty?"

“They're heading for LA tomorrow...so I guess I'll do the same. The sooner, the better...I think...especially with the tour starting up again soon."

Lynn nodded. "I think that's a good idea...get everything out in the open and talk as soon as possible."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I think so, too," he said...looking down at the table as he started toying with the salt shaker.

"Honey...just calm down and take a few deep breaths. Nobody is dying or sick. Having a baby is a happy thing...no matter the situation."

"I know. I just...I definitely wasn't expecting to have one of my own anytime soon."

Nick stood by the door quietly and listened to what Justin was saying. What were they talking about? Who was having a baby? Taking a deep breath he quickly turned back around and walked back outside, trying to shut the door quietly behind him.

Lynn turned to the door when she was sure she heard somebody, sighing when she saw Nick walking back down off the patio. "You need to talk to him too, honey."

Justin took a deep breath. "Why not now...right?" he said sarcastically as he got up. "The day's already shot to hell."

"I don't think you should talk to him if you're going to yell or be upset." Lynn pointed out, sensing her son was about ready to blow up at any second. "And I don't look at this as making the day shot to hell."

"I'm not gonna yell," Justin assured his mother. Actually...he thought NICK was the one who was probably going to do the yelling. With a quiet sigh, he gave his mother a hug. "Thanks, mama."

Lynn hugged Justin back tightly. "You're welcome...and after the last few weeks you could tell me you were going to join a group of cross dressing gypsies and I probably wouldn't think twice...you're good at dropping bombs two at a time." She joked.

Justin laughed as he pulled back and looked at his mother. "Yeah...I guess I am."

Lynn patted Justin on the back and then stood up. "Just talk to him...even though he doesn't have to make any of the decisions...he's going to be there every step of the way...and I have a feeling he won't want it any other way."

Justin nodded...then took a deep breath and headed out the back door. He saw Nick sitting on one of the lounge chairs by the pool, and slowly head down toward him.

Nick was so busy staring off into space that he didn't even notice Justin was walking towards him. After thinking for a little while, and putting pieces of the puzzle together he came up with the conclusion in his mind that Kelly was pregnant...and it was Justin's baby. That thought scared him...because where did that leave him exactly?

Justin didn't say anything as he walked up to Nick's lounge chair, and leaned down to take a seat between his legs...sighing quietly as he rested back against Nick's chest.

Nick automatically wrapped his arms around Justin and sighed. "Is everything okay?" He asked softly.

"Depends on how you look at it, I guess," Justin said quietly...staring at a leaf floating on the water's surface.

"Having a baby is a happy thing...no matter the situation." Nick said, repeating what he had heard Lynn say in the kitchen. It was true he believed that 100 percent.

Justin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You heard..."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...I heard...but that was pretty much all I heard. So, I've just had to come up with conclusions on my own. I would like to know the real story if you are willing to tell me."

Justin took another deep breath. "Kelly's pregnant."

"So, the conclusions I made up were right." Nick said with a sigh. "Is she going to keep the baby?"

"Yes...definitely."

Nick had to smile a little at that. "Good."

"I'm scared."

"I know you are." Nick whispered as he gently kissed Justin on the head. "But it will be okay." He really wanted to say it was going to be okay and that he would stick by him no matter what...but he wasn't sure if Justin wanted that.

"I know it will. It'll be hard...but it will be OK."

"Are you and Kelly...getting back together?" Nick said this so quietly he wasn't sure if Justin could even hear him.

"No," Justin whispered back. "She loves Marty."

Nick nodded. "Oh...okay."

"I have to go to LA tomorrow...to talk things out with them."

Nick nodded again. "Oh...okay." He wasn't sure what to say...he felt like he was being selfish if he just out and asked. 'What about me?' He couldn't help but feel a huge sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. Just when things had gotten to the point they were happy...now they were going to be torn apart.

Justin thought Nick was wondering what he'd do while Justin was in LA. "You can stay here in my house...no one will mind. I'm only going for a day or two...because then I'm supposed to go skiing with my parents."

The feeling of dread got even bigger when Justin hadn't asked him to go along. "Okay." Was all he said again as he felt tears coming to his eyes.

Justin lay quietly in Nick's arms for a bit before speaking again. It was his turn to ask the questions. "How do you feel about this? I mean...what's gonna happen to US...now that Kelly's having my baby?"

Nick sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I know that my feeling for you aren't going to go away...that I still want to be with you no matter what. I love Kelly...she's a great girl...my friend so I want to be able to help her too...but well...I'm not sure if YOU want me around...to help." He said softly, a few silent tears falling down his cheeks.

Justin sighed quietly. "I know I want you around, Nick...but...I just don’t know how much you can help."

Nick bit his bottom lip to try and keep from crying anymore. Hell...why was he crying it wasn't him who just found out he had a baby on the way. "Then what am *I* supposed to do...while you're being daddy?" He asked, knowing he couldn't mask the hurt in his voice.

"Nick...it sounds like you're asking me to choose between my child...and you."

Nick's eyes went wide...that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. "What? No...of course not!" He exclaimed. "I would rather have you leave me and have nothing to do with me...then not be a father to this baby. That's far more important. You're very lucky Kelly has given you the chance." He said the last part softly.

Justin sat up, and turned in his seat to look at Nick. "I'm LUCKY she's given me the chance? Why would you say THAT? Cuz I don't DESERVE the chance...?"

Nick groaned and shook his head. "I'm not saying ANYTHING right today. I didn't mean that at all...I'm just saying that you're lucky Kelly is a sweet girl who would even tell you she was pregnant...that she didn't just go off and do something stupid and you would never know about it." He sighed and shook his head. "I didn't mean that at all Justin...I'm sorry."

Justin shook his head. "She'd never do that to me."

Nick smiled a little and nodded his head. "I know she wouldn't."

Justin sighed quietly. Nick wasn't reacting the way he'd hoped. "Maybe I should have given it some time before I told you."

"You didn't exactly have to tell me...I found out on my own....and I'm glad you told me." Nick answered softly. "I don't want you to keep anything from me." He took a deep breath and looked down at his lap. "Are we still going to be together...do you still want to be with me?"

"Yes...I already told you that."

"Right...but then you told me you didn't think I could help...I'm not exactly sure what that's supposed to mean, Justin." Nick answered sadly. "I mean I'm not asking you to pick between me and your child I would never do that...I just can't be totally thrown to the backburner either." He looked up at Justin. "Am I totally being a selfish asshole for saying that? Because I don't mean to be."

Justin took a deep breath. "I just meant that you can't help right now. Me and Marty...we have a lot to figure out with Kelly...and it doesn't have to involve you. You're always gonna be with me no matter what."

"You wont let me come to California with you...even if I stay away from you guys when you talk?" Nick asked, hoping he wasn't making things for Justin worse being insecure.

Justin thought about it for a moment...then sighed. "I just think it's a better idea for you to stay here. We're gonna need time."

Nick thought about that for a second and nodded. He was sad and disappointed but he also understood. "Okay...I understand that." He answered with a small smile.

"I won't be gone long...I promise."

Nick giggled a little. "I think I know how to be by myself...I'll be okay for a few days."

Justin nodded. "Thank you...for understanding."

"So, you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah...most likely."

Nick nodded. "Okay...guess you gota make sure you spend enough time with your brothers then."

Justin nodded. "I will," he said. "What about you? Are you OK?"

"Yeah...I'm fine." Nick answered, wishing he sounded more convincing.

"Don't lie to me, Nick."

"I'm not lying...I'm going to be okay...I'm just going to miss you is all. We haven't been away from each other for more then a few hours in like three weeks." Nick said softly, trying hard not to start crying again.

"Well...as horrible as this might sound right now...it's probably something you're going to have to get used to if you plan on being my boyfriend for a while. Ya know...with my career, and all."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Yeah...I know that. I will get used to it but that doesn't mean I wont miss you."

"Well...it doesn't mean *I* won't miss YOU, either."

Nick leaned back in the chair more so he was lying down. "Come here and lie with me...since we probably wont get much alone time tonight with the boys."

Justin sighed as he leaned back against Nick again...as he had when he first came outside.

"Why don't you tell me about how you feel. This has got to be eating you up inside." Nick whispered and Kissed the top of Justin's head again.

Justin shrugged a bit as he closed his eyes. "I really don't know WHAT I feel...or what I'm thinking. It's all so much. And...I mean...I have no idea how to be a father."

"I don't think anybody does at this point." Nick replied as he held Justin close to him. "You just gota trust in yourself to do the right thing."

"Yeah...we'll see."

"You're strong, Justin. I have faith in you."

"Thanks. And I hope you keep thinking like that...cuz I'm gonna need your support."

Nick smiled against Justin's head. "You've got more then my support...You've got my love." He whispered, holding Justin as tightly to him as he could...at it still didn't seem like enough.

Justin tucked his head under Nick's chin and curled up against him. He suddenly felt drained...and exhausted...and he just needed to rest for a while.

Nick held Justin protectively in his arms and started to sing softly, hoping to relax Justin.

*****@****

As Kelly hung up the phone, Marty squeezed Kelly’s leg a little and smiled at her. “Good, Job honey…I’m proud of you.”

Kelly sighed as she slipped her phone back into her purse. "Thanks. I'm kinda proud of myself, too. That was tough," she said as she covered Marty's hand with her own.

"Am I right in thinking that he didn't yell and scream at you?" Marty asked with a smile.

Kelly nodded...turning her head to look in Marty's direction. "You're right. I mean...he was shocked as shit, but...he was good about it. He definitely wants to play his part...and he said it's gonna be a good thing...that we'll be OK."

Marty smiled more as he pulled into the driveway of his parent's house. "See...I told you that it would be okay. Is he meeting us in LA?"

"Yeah...he is," Kelly said as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Ya know...now that the whole telling Justin thing is done, and I'm less stressed, I'm hungry. Do you think your mom still has food left?"

"I know for a fact she has food left. We always have leftovers for like months it seems." Marty laughed as he got out of the car and walking around to Kelly's side. "What do you say we raid the fridge?" He asked as he helped her out of the car and closed and locked it behind her.

Kelly nodded...a small smile on her face. "Yeah...sounds good. We should probably mingle with the family a little, too...since I wasn't exactly sociable earlier."

Marty pouted playfully. "Aww...do we have ta?"

Kelly shrugged as she started toward the front door. "You don't have to...I'll do it by myself."

"I was totally kidding." Marty laughed as he walked quickly to get in front of Kelly so he could open the door for her.

"Thanks," Kelly said as she entered the house. She was still getting used to the romantic, gentlemanly side of Marty.

Marty wasn't surprised that the house was still bustling with activity. Kids running all over the place. He spotted his dad first and smiled. "Hey dad...we're back."

Martin smiled. "Hi, kids. Everything OK?"

"Yeah...everything is fine." Marty said as he glanced at Kelly with a big smile on his face. Sure, they weren't really in the clear yet because a lot had to be talked about with Justin in the next few days but still a big step and been made and he felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.

"We're fine, Mr. K," Kelly replied as she slid her coat off her shoulders.

Martin nodded. "OK. Glad to hear it."

Slipping his own coat off he took Kelly's from her and went to hang them in the large coat closet by the door. "Let's go see if we can heat up some of the food, okay?" Marty asked as he took Kelly's hand and led her into the kitchen.

Kelly nodded...walking with Marty into the kitchen. "Ya know...I really feel like the hardest part of the whole finding out process is over now that Justin knows..." she said quietly. "...because...it's not like I have parents to tell. And even if my dad DID find out, he couldn't possibly be MORE disappointed in me than he has been for the last few years...so..."

"Which you shouldn't care about because deep down you should be the most disappointed in him because he's let you down as a father." Marty pointed out as he opened the fridge to start looking for leftovers. "And I agree with you...I feel the same way that things can't be too hard from now on. I mean I know that Justin is the baby's father. I'll be Uncle Marty or something."

Kelly laughed as she took a seat at the table. "Eeww...I don't know about that. If you were the baby's uncle, then you'd be like...my brother, or something."

Marty had to laugh at that as he pulled out a platter of food and then some other dishes out of the fridge. "You're right...I'll settle for good old Marty then."

"I hope the baby doesn't have any Japanese features," Kelly said out of the blue...since her mind was on her father. "I don't want any of my father to be in this baby. At least the chances are pretty good...since MY features aren't all that prominent."

Marty nodded his head. "With our luck he's going to turn into a Mini Justin. Have blonde curly ass hair." He laughed, joking.

Kelly laughed. "Oh well...we could always shave it off," she joked.

Marty made a face. "Shaving a kid's head that is just evil."

"Well it could be a girl, ya know," Kelly said...getting up and going to the counter incase Marty wanted any help.

"I don't know why but that's a really cute picture...Justin with a little girl." Marty said with a smile as he prepared plates with the same food they had, had earlier.

"I think Justin with ANY kid would be cute. It IS cute," Kelly said...leaning back against the counter. "I mean...you've seen him with his brothers."

"Yeah it is cute." Marty stated as he handed Kelly her plate. "Come on let's go sit down at the table and eat before somebody comes in and interrupts." He said as he walked over to the kitchen table and sat down.

"Thank you," Kelly said…taking her plate to the table and setting it down. "Do you want a drink?" she asked...going to the fridge.

"Are there any Frappachinos in there?" Marty asked hopefully...really needing some type of caffeine.

"With dinner?" Kelly asked...grabbing herself a Diet Coke.

Marty shrugged. "People have coffee with dinner...but a coke will work too."

Kelly got out a Coke, and brought the cans over to the table. "Good choice. You don't need THAT much caffeine," she said quietly as she sat down beside Marty. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You have to be strong for TWO of us, now," she said...patting her stomach.

Janet chose that moment to walk into the room and was slightly shocked to hear the last words Kelly said. Clearing her throat she smiled a bit. "Welcome back guys...have a good drive?" She said, seriously wondering what was going on.

Kelly took a deep breath...turning her attention to her plate and picking up her fork. "Yeah...it was fine...but the snow's really starting to come down, now."

Marty nodded nervously. "Yeah...glad we got home safely." He said as he took a huge sip of his coke, hoping the caffeine would calm his nerves so he could get through the night.

Janet nodded as she went to the fridge to get a bottle of water. She wanted to ask what was going on....but she didn't know if she should.

Kelly swallowed her mouthful of food, then glanced at Marty as she sipped her soda. She really had no idea if she should tell his mother, or not.

Marty shrugged his shoulders and mouthed. 'It's up to you'.

Kelly took a deep breath as she set her soda down. "Mrs. Kudelka...do you have a minute to sit down?"

Getting a little scared, Janet nodded and walked over to the table to sit down. "Alright...what are you two young ones hiding?" She asked with a small smile on her face.

Marty smiled at Kelly telling her it would be okay.

"Well...we're not really hiding anything. I mean...cuz it's new to us, too."

"Kelly honey...Just tell me." Janet said as she reached across the table to take the young woman's hand.

Kelly gave Janet a small smile. The woman made her feel so comfortable. "OK. I'm...pregnant."

Janet got a little confused. "I thought I heard from either one of you...or was it my husband...I don't remember but anyway...I thought I heard that you two hadn't been together...like that."

Marty took a deep breath. "The baby isn't mine Mom." He said softly.

Janet's mouth was in the shape of an 'O' for a second before she knew what to say. "Oh...I see...who's baby is it if you don't mind me asking." She said as she still held onto Kelly's hand gently and soothingly.

Kelly took a deep breath. Marty's mother was getting more disgusted by the minute...she could feel it. She'd been right...his parents were going to end up thinking she was a tramp. "It's...Justin's."

Janet nodded, she was still in shock...but she wasn't upset or anything like that. "Does he know?" She asked softly.

Kelly nodded slowly. "I just told him...as soon as I found out for sure."

"And he was happy about it...shocked and everything but he took it well." Marty said with a big smile.

Janet was still slightly confused of what was going on. "Are you getting back together with Justin? Or how is this going to work exactly?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...I'm not. I wanna be with your son."

Janet couldn't help but smile big at that. "I'm glad." She then turned to Marty. "You're being very grown up about this...I'm proud of you....both of you."

Kelly smiled. "Thanks...but we've got a long way to go."

"We're going to have to head out to LA tomorrow to start training another dancer to take Kelly's place while she's having the baby. Justin is going to meet us there to talk things through." Marty explained.

"I think that sounds like a good idea. Get things figured out as soon as possible." Janet said with a nod of her head.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah. That's the thing I'm most worried about at this point," she admitted. "I want to make sure everyone involved with this knows their role from the beginning...so there's no confusion...you know what I mean?"

Janet nodded her understanding. "Yes, I totally understand. Does Justin have a new girlfriend who will be a part of this too?"

Marty bit his bottom lip, not exactly sure how to answer that question.

"Umm...not exactly," Kelly said before taking a bite of her mashed potatoes.

This caused poor Janet to be even more confused. "You've lost me now." She laughed a little.

Marty looked over at Kelly with a 'She won't say anything look'.

Kelly trailed her gaze from Marty's eyes back to Janet's. "Mrs. Kudelka. This is seriously classified information...but...Justin's sort of...well...involved with a guy, right now."

Janet's eyes went wide as she took in that news and then laughed a little. "Whoa...okay that was totally unexpected."

"It was unexpected to all of us."

Marty nodded. "Yeah took me by surprise...but Nick is a really cool guy." That just reminded Marty of something. "Did J give you any more information about their relationship when you talked to him? Are they still just testing the waters or is there more to it?"

Kelly shrugged, then spoke once she'd swallowed her bite of pork. "I'm not too sure...but I think he said something about how he's with Nick...or he has Nick...or something like that."

Just then there was a loud crash in the living room and Janet groaned. "I think that is my cue to leave you two alone for a bit while I go see what broke." With that she got up and headed into the family room.

"We'll just have to get the dirt from them when we see them." Marty said and then waved to his mom as she left.

"I hope things are going well with them," Kelly said as she brought her soda can to her lips.

'I'm sure they are okay...I mean you know how calm and relaxed Justin gets when he's home. He probably scared Nick to death and jumped him or something." Marty joked.

Kelly chuckled at the thought. "Yeah...ya never know."

Marty sat his fork down on his empty pate and stretched his arms over his head with a great big yawn. "This has definitely been a very interesting day."

Kelly pouted a bit as she turned to look at her boyfriend. "Are you gonna fall asleep on me again?"

"Can you think of something to keep me awake?" Marty asked wiggling his eyebrows as a joke.

Kelly put a thoughtful look on her face. "Maybe," she said...then raised her eyebrows as she drank down the rest of her Diet Coke.

"Oh yeah...and what exactly do you have on your mind Miss Konno?" Marty asked as he too drank the rest of his coke.

Kelly giggled. "Why do you always address me with my last name?"

Marty laughed. "I don't know...would you rather I call you cupcake...or shnookums...or hot sexy mama?"

Kelly laughed again. "Sure...a pet name would be nice...but NOT any of those."

"Awe...you're not fun...now I have to think up a whole other name!" Marty sighed an exasperated sigh.

Kelly smiled...getting up and collecting their plates from the table. "Well...you already call me Honey...which is nice...but another one wouldn't hurt." She chuckled as she rinsed off the dishes, and loaded them into the dishwasher.

Marty got up and walked behind Kelly, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed the back of her neck. "I'll just take some time to think up the perfect one." He whispered in her ear.

Kelly giggled as she wiped her hands on a dish towel. "OK."

"Do you really want to mingle with my family more?" Marty whispered again before nibbling on her earlobe.

"Shouldn't we?" Kelly asked...really feeling guilty for bailing on them earlier.

"We spent the whole morning with them...they are all just kinda doing their own thing now anyway." Marty replied.

Kelly chuckled. "OK. I have another present to give you, anyway."

Marty pulled back in shock. "Something else? You didn't have to give me anything else, Kel."

"I know. But when I gave you your present last night I told you I had something else for you to open today."

"Oh yeah you did tell me that huh." Marty said blushing a little.

Kelly chuckled and leaned up to kiss Marty's chin. "Yes...I did. Goes to show how well you listen to me."

Marty blushed again. "I do listen...I just forgot."

"Cuz you're old," Kelly teased...resting her hands on Marty's hips.

"I'll show you old." Marty giggled as he thrust his hips forward being a nut.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Eeww...gross! Old men aren't supposed to do that!"

Marty made a face. "Okay...now I just have the worst mental picture in my head...thanks a lot, honey." He laughed.

Kelly laughed...taking Marty's hand and leading him out of the kitchen. "Let's go see your family for a bit...then you can have your present."

Marty pouted as they walked into the family room. "I wanted my present now." He whined like the little girl on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

"Knock it off...ya big baby."

"Gaga goo goo." Marty giggled as he found a seat on one of the love seats and pulled Kelly down onto his lap. He was in a frisky mood.

Kelly let herself fall onto Marty's left leg, and draped her right arm around his neck. She smiled as she looked over at several of his nieces and nephews sitting on the floor playing with their new toys.

"There are way too many munchkins around here." Marty laughed as he watched his nieces and nephews play.

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah. One will be enough for me for a while."

"Yeah me too." Marty said with a smile.

Kelly laughed...looking at Marty. "You too? You planning on having one of your own sometime soon?"

Marty thought about what he said and shook his head a little. "No."

"Good...cuz you're gonna be too busy helping me take care of mine," Kelly said quietly...then kissed Marty's lips softly. "I mean...if you WANT to."

Marty got the biggest smile on his face. "Yeah...I want to...I love you...and I'll love this baby too…even though it's not mine." He said as he placed his hand on her stomach.

Kelly smiled brightly. "Thank you," she said...putting her hand over Marty's on her stomach.

"Jesse...come back here you need to be changed!" Chrystal exclaimed running after her two year old son.

Marty couldn't help but bust up laughing at the way his sister was chasing her son around.

Kelly groaned. "Oh God."

"Excuse me for a moment." Marty said still laughing as he gently sat Kelly down on the couch as he got up walking over to where Jesse was running and picked him up in his arms. "Where do YOU think you're going kiddo?"

Jesse smiled wide. "Unca Marty!"

"That would be me...now how about we go get you cleaned up so you can go play with that cool new toy grandma and grandpa bought you." Marty said talking to the boy as he walked out of the room with him.

Kelly smiled as she relaxed back on the couch and crossed her legs. She loved seeing Marty with the kids...being all sweet and nurturing. It was a side of him she hadn't gotten to see very often over the years...and it was very endearing to her...especially given her new situation.

Becky came and sat down next to Kelly again once she saw Marty leave. "So...what DID you guys do when you ditched us at dinner?" She asked with a giggle to show nobody was upset.

Kelly looked over at Becky and smiled. "Went to the hospital...for a blood test. I'm pregnant."

Becky's eyes went wide and she got a huge smile on her face. "Whoa...congrats that's awesome!"

"Thanks. It's scary...but exciting."

"What does he think about it?" Becky asked, nodding her head in the direction Marty has gone.

Kelly shrugged. "He's doing really well...given that it's not his baby."

Becky nodded. "I kinda figured as much...he told me you two hadn't had sex yet and that was like a week ago. "

Kelly had to laugh. "He told you a WEEK ago that we hadn't had sex yet...but...we only started really dating like...three days ago."

That caused Becky to laugh too. "Yeah it was about a week ago I talked to him on the phone...my brother is a piece of work." She said shaking her head in disbelief.

"Why do you say that?"

"He's wanted to ask you out for like a month now." Becky felt like she should admit. "But the guy who is normally thinking he's God's gift to women was so fucking nervous he was freaking out with me on the phone one night talking about how he was so scared and how he was never going to be able to do it." She smiled big and laughed. "It was really adorable."

Kelly smiled at the thought. "Guess it's a good thing I told him I wanted him to ask me out, then."

Becky nodded. "Yup cuz he'd of been chicken shit to do it himself." That was when she thought of something else. "Does the father know?"

Kelly nodded. "Yes. I told him today," she answered simply.

"What did Justin say about it?" Becky asked...thinking she would tell Kelly that she had a good feeling of who the father was. Hell, her brother practically gave her a tour play by play when they talked on the phone. Who was fucking who just seemed to come up in conversation.

Kelly looked at Becky with a mixture of curiosity and shock on her face. "You know? Wh-...did your mother tell you?"

Becky shook her head. "I didn't even know mom knew about it...I just kinda figured it out on my own."

"Please...don’t mention it to anyone...OK?"

"I wasn't planning on it, Kel. I've spent a week on your with you guys...I've learned enough shit to write a book...but of course I wouldn't." Becky laughed and smiled.

Kelly giggled. "Thank you."

"You're really lucky, Kel. You've got two great guys to help you. I don't even have one." Becky said sadly. Still sad about the fact that Taylor's father had quickly fled when he found out about the baby.

Kelly gently patted Becky's knee. "Don't worry, Beck...you're a great girl. Your Mr. Right will come along."

Marty came back into the room and put Jesse down so he could run and play with his toys. He then walked over to his sister and girlfriend. "Oh great...you two have been saying shit about me...I just know it." He joked.

Becky laughed. "Of course...what else can I say about besides shit?"

Kelly laughed. "Don't worry, sweetie...I was able to come up with a few not-so-shitty things about you."

"See...she's nice...unlike other people I know." Marty said with a playful glare to his sister.

Becky laughed and rolled her eyes. "Well...I'm going to go check on Tay...You two behave and don't do anything I wouldn't do." She said with a wink before walking back in the direction Marty had come.

"No wonder why you two are so close."

"Why because we are both insane?" Marty asked with a laugh as he sat back down next to Kelly.

"Something like that," Kelly said with a smile...immediately leaning into Marty.

"I don't smell like shit do I?" Marty laughed but he was serious.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes. "No. You always smell good."

"Aww...thanks hun...but you would think you smelled bad too if you just changed the diaper I did. I know for a fact we are not giving the kid anything we had for dinner here." He joked, making a face.

Marty joked*

"God, Marty...that's disgusting."

Marty laughed and rolled his eyes. "Hey girly...better get used to it...cuz I know for a fact I'm not going to be the only one on diaper duty."

"Nope...you're right. You...and Justin," Kelly joked with a laugh.

"This poor kid is going to have a seriously mixed up life." Marty joked. "I mean for one he's got me...and that's just scary period...and then he's got both Justin and Nick...which is scary too...poor thing."

"Hey? Aren't you forgetting about his mother? I'VE had a perfectly normal life," she said...trying not to laugh.

"Ohh...you mean Nick can't be his mom?" Marty joked again...having fun goofing around with Kelly.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Right...sure...YOU can tell Nick that and see how he reacts."

Marty made a face. "He may be a tad flamboyant but he's not that bad. He is a mean shopper though." He laughed.

"He is NOT flamboyant. Sensitive, maybe...but not flamboyant. And besides...sensitivity in a man is nice once in a while. Hard to come by."

"Okay I'll make sure to cry more." Marty giggled, lifting Kelly up a little so he could pull her into his lap again.

Kelly laughed as she settled on Marty's lap. "There's more to sensitivity than crying."

"I know...I'm just being crazy." Marty answered sincerely.

"You're always crazy. That's one of the many great things about you."

"Not always." Marty laughed. "But a lot of the time."

"Yeah...and crazy in a good way," Kelly assured Marty as she kissed his cheek.

Looking around to see if anybody else was looking and not seeing anybody who wasn't busy doing their own thing. Marty leaned in and kissed Kelly deeply on the mouth. He wasn't sure why but he was really in a mood in the last hour or so and he couldn't help himself.

Kelly lightly touched Marty's cheek as she kissed him back. She was finally happy for the first time that day...thanks to Justin taking the news well, and Marty being there for her without fail. As she kissed him, she began to think that maybe she loved him even more than she'd thought she did...or let herself believe she did.

Marty kissed Kelly even more for a second but then pulled back when he felt himself slipping out of control a little more then he would of liked being in front of his own family. "I've mingled...enough." He mumbled softly.

Kelly giggled. "OK...I wanna give you your present, anyway," she said...getting off Marty's lap.

Marty was up and off the couch in a flash. Grabbing Kelly's hand he led her up the stairs without anybody noticing, not like they would really care anyway.

Kelly laughed as she walked into Marty's room. "Geez...talk about a quick getaway."

Marty smiled sheepishly as he closed and locked the door for good measure. "Sorry, bout that."

Kelly laughed again. "That's OK," she said...running a hand through her hair.

Walking to sit on the edge of the bed, Marty smiled big. "So whatcha get me?" He asked bouncing on his butt a little.

He asked excitedly*

Kelly smiled as she took off her sneakers and socks, then slid her feet into her slippers before going over to the closet. "You're SO childish," she teased...reaching for a shopping bag.

"Yes I am." Marty giggled as he leaned over a little and opened the drawer to one of his side tables and pulled out an envelope, quickly hiding it underneath him.

"OK...here," she said...carrying the paper shopping bag over to Marty and sitting on the bed as she handed it to him. Inside was a box from the Build-A-Bear store...which contained a light brown teddy bear dressed in sneakers, basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and a sweatband on it's head...the same way Marty always dressed for rehearsals.

Marty took the large bag and looked at Kelly funny. "How in the world have you hid something this big from me." He laughed as he pulled the carrying box out of the bag and giggled more when he saw what it was. "Ohh...its gunna be something fuzzy!"

Kelly giggled as she reached up to rub her hand over Marty's buzzed head. "Fuzzy like you."

"Probably much cutter then me." Marty laughed as he opened the top of the box and laughed when he saw the bear. Pulling out the light brown bear he automatically hugged it to his chest. "He's too cute!" He may be a guy...and it wasn't right for them to really like stuffed animals but he was a HUGE lover of stuffed animals and Kelly knew that. "I love the outfit." He giggled.

"He looks like you...get it?" Kelly asked with a chuckle...her hand still on Marty's head. "And I named him James," she said...using her other hand to pull the certificate out of the box.

Marty smiled big as he looked down at the birth certificate in Kelly's hand. "See...we do have a kid of our own now." He laughed he said pointing to his last name next to James on the certificate.

Kelly laughed. "Some dad YOU are. *I* kicked in all the money."

"I'll by his clothes." Marty laughed as he gently put James down against the pillows at the head of the bed and leaned over to give Kelly a kiss. "Thank you mommy." He whispered against her lips before deepening the kiss.

Kelly giggled into the kiss. "You're...welcome."

Marty pulled back and looked Kelly in the eyes. "I really am proud of you...for all you did today."

Kelly looked into Marty's eyes and smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot to me coming from you. Because...honestly...you're one of the few people left who actually cares what the hell I do with my life."

"I care VERY much what you do with your life." Marty whispered continuing to look Kelly in the eye. "You're going to be a great mother."

"Thank you. I hope so. There are a lot of things I'm gonna have to change in my life, though," Kelly said...then got up and went to grab her pack of cigarettes off of the desk. "Like these, for starters," she said...tossing the pack to Marty.

Marty held onto the package of cigarettes and nodded. "Yeah no more of that...or drinking."

Kelly nodded. "I know."

"Might be kinda hard at first...but you can do it." Marty said with a smile.

Kelly shrugged. "I'll be fine with the drinking...I don't do it all that much. I don't smoke all that much, either. Just when I'm stressed, for the most part. So...I'll just have to find something else to do when I'm stressed out."

" I think I can help you out there." Marty giggled with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Having fun being a nut and a pervert.

"Oh yeah? You gonna buy me one of those little stress balls you squeeze in your hand?"

"Sure...ball squeezing can be a part of it." Marty said trying not to bust up laughing.

Kelly laughed...her cheeks blushing. "OK...so...I set myself up for THAT one."

Marty couldn't help it and busted up laughing. The look Kelly had on her face was too cute. "Sorry, Honey...just had to say it."

"Yeah...figures."

"I may be a pervert...but you still love me." Marty said with a big smile. "You like it when I'm dirty...I know you do." As he said this he let his voice get a few octaves lower and made his voice sound like one of those crazy phone sex operators.

Kelly had to laugh again. "Well...yeah. Sometimes I do."

"I knew it." Marty laughed as he reached over to lightly start moving his hand up and down Kelly's upper thigh. "You REALLY liked what I did this morning." He whispered moving his face so it was right up against the back of Kelly's neck but not doing anything else besides breathing.

Kelly chuckled quietly. "What gave it away?"

"The idea that I felt you orgasm around my tongue...twice." Marty whispered again, his voice going deeper...but this time on it's own as he thought of what he had done that morning.

Kelly closed her eyes and moaned softly. "Oh...right...I vaguely recall."

"It was SO hot, baby...seeing you like that...hearing you moan and groan. God it made me so hard." Marty said through a small moan of his own. His mouth right next to Kelly's ear.

Kelly chuckled and briefly bit her lower lip. "Hmm...I remember THAT, too."

Marty laughed too, shaking his head a tad as if to clear his mind. "Yeah...well it was hot." He said dropping the phone sex voice...but it didn't really change much because talking and remembering that had turned him on anyway.

Kelly laughed and leaned over to kiss Marty's chin. "YOU'RE hot, too."

Marty moaned softly and shook his head slowly. "Not hardly as hot and sexy as you are."

Kelly pouted a bit. "Not for long. I'ma be fat before you know it."

"You'll be sexy no matter what. Because you'll be pregnant." Marty said firmly.

"How's that sexy?"

"You'll be sexy because there is a new human being growing inside of you. Without you him or her wouldn't be alive." Marty pointed out.

Kelly smiled. "OK...if you say so."

Just then Marty remembered something. Reaching underneath him he pulled out the elvelope and handed it to Kelly. Inside of it was a small piece of paper that read....

Kelly took the envelope and lifted an eyebrow. "What's this?"

"Open it and you'll see." Marty giggled.

Kelly opened the envelope and pulled out the small note inside. A smile formed on her face as she read it. "OK...you said you were gonna take me away somewhere...but I didn't know you were serious."

"I was totally serious, so just take some time and think about where and tell me." Marty said with a big smile.

Kelly put the paper back into the envelope. "Thank you. You're amazing," she said...then kissed Marty's lips softly.

Marty smiled against the kiss and kissed Kelly back just as softly for a second before pulling back. "No, you're the amazing one." He whispered.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

By the time Justin had finished reading 'A Christmas Carol' to Jon and Steve, they were both sound asleep in his bed. He smiled as he closed the book and set it on the nightstand, then tucked the blankets securely around them. Then...after changing into some PJ pants and a wifebeater, Justin made his way into the living room...yawning as he walked toward where Nick was sitting on the couch.

Nick looked up from the story he was reading on Justin’s lap top and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "They asleep already?" He asked shocked, knowing Justin had only gone in there with him half an hour earlier.

Justin nodded as he took a seat beside Nick. "Yeah. One story, and they were out. They had a long day."

"We all had a long day." Nick said as he glanced down at the story he was reading again.

Justin nodded again. "What are you doing?" he asked...squinting as he tried to see what was on the computer screen.

Nick blushed a little. "Oh...umm just reading some story...somebody wrote."

"Like those stories you usually read?" Justin asked...relaxing back against the couch and propping his bare feet up on the coffee table.

Nick nodded his head as he leaned towards the side and brought his feet up onto the couch, setting the lap top onto his right hip. "Yeah...this one is very umm...interesting." He giggled his face turning a little redder then it had been from when he was blushing a second ago.

"What's it about? Read some to me," Justin said...closing his eyes and trying to relax.

Nick looked over at Justin and shook his head blushing even more. "You don't want me to do that...it's graphic."

"So? Yeah...great. You blew me in my shower yesterday morning. Now read."

Nick cleared his throat before looking down at the screen again and started to read...

Justin scrunched his nose up. "Who's this Nathan character?"

"Oh...I should have told you...this story is AU...which means that it's you...but like you aren't famous or anything. You are actually a college student in this story. It's called First Semester." Nick tried to explain.

Justin laughed. "Me? In college?"

Nick looked at Justin confused and nodded. "Yeah...You're in college...and do you want me to read this or not." He giggled.

"Yeah...go ahead."

Nick giggled again and then read the next part...

Justin chuckled. "Sounds like you're really moanin my name, there."

Nick laughed and nodded. "It did...you're right."

"Anyway...go on."

Nick read next, actually not feeling as weird about reading this to Justin as he would have expected.

"Who WRITES this stuff?"

"This one is written by a girl name Kris...she owns a yahoo group that I belong to. She's one of my favorite writers and I've totally gotten hooked on this story." Nick explained.

"Hmm...OK. What happens next?" Justin asked...strangely comfortable with Nick reading this to him...much unlike the first time he'd read one of Nick's stories.

Nick looked back at the screen and read down the page a second to find where they left off and then read again...

Justin laughed quietly...watching Nick's face as his eyes danced across the computer screen. "Damn. This shit IS graphic."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Uh huh...ain't it great." He said as he glanced at Justin before looking back at the screen he was at a part he hadn't read yet.

"Swollen purple cock head?" Justin asked with a laugh. "Where do they come up with this stuff?"

"I have no idea." Nick laughed quickly before reading the next part...he was really getting into this...

Justin smirked...watching the expression on Nick's face as he read. "You're really into this shit, huh?"

Nick didn't even respond just kept reading...

"You look hot in those glasses," Justin pointed out...still looking at Nick's face. He knew his boyfriend probably wouldn't even hear him. He was too into his story.

"Thanks." Nick mumbled, not really even sure what Justin has said as he continued to read. There was something about reading this out loud that was making it so much better.

Justin groaned softly. Hearing Nick read out loud in those passionate, moany, erotic tones was just plain hot.

Nick read his tongue moving out of his mouth to lick his lips when they started to go dry.

"OK...that's just fuckin hot," Justin admitted...absently adjusting himself through his pajama pants.

Nick broke his gaze from the computer to look at Justin and smirked. "You like?" He giggled.

"It's...uhhh...interesting. Definitely interesting."

Nick laughed and kept on reading...

"What's this Nathan guy look like? I'm trying to picture this in my head," Justin said...dropping his head back against the sofa and closing his eyes.

"I think he was explained as tall...blonde hair, blue eyes..." Nick said as he tried to remember.

"Hmm...spiky hair? And a nice, strong broad back...and a soft little belly?" Justin teased with a laugh.

Nick laughed and shrugged. "If that's what you want to picture then go right ahead."

"Yeah...I do. And glasses, too."

Nick bit his lower lip to keep from groaning at the idea that he knew Justin was picturing himself with the story. Of course he always pictured himself in stories like this...but it was different having Justin do it...

Justin groaned again...his eyes still closed. "Shit, Nick...keep reading like that and I might cum in my pants."

Nick looked over at Justin and groaned deep in his throat when he saw the look on his face and then trailed his eyes down to Justin's crotch and saw just how turned on he was. "What me to stop then?" He asked with an evil smirk on his face.

Justin laughed softly. "Hell, no."

Nick shifted positions so he was leaning back like Justin was with his feet on the coffee table. "Okay...lap tops are not good with hard-ons." He giggled before reading the next part...

Justin laughed again. "That'll really be me the first time I give head, too."

Nick laughed. "Guess this Kris girl knows what she's talking about then...maybe she actually knows you."

"Whatever...carry on."

As Nick said that he felt like being a little nasty and actually act out the part putting on a breathy sex covered voice...which wasn't that hard to do...since he was extremely turned on.

Justin groaned...his right hand moving to massage his cock a bit through his pajamas. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked...opening his eyes to look at Nick's face.

Nick glanced over at Justin and let out a loud whimper. "Shit...you keep doing that...and I won't be able to finish reading."

Justin laughed and dropped his hand down to his side. "OK...read."

Nick smirked and turned back to the computer screen...

"Mmm...damn..." Justin whimpered...closing his eyes again.

"God...hold on a second this is killing me." Nick groaned as he moved the laptop to rest on the couch next to him to keep his lap free of anything resting over it.

Justin laughed. "Problems, Nathan? OH! I mean Nick," Justin joked.

Nick rolled his eyes and playfully slapped Justin in the arm before going on to read more...

"That is one hot visual."

Nick nodded with wide eyes, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Y...yeah it is."

Justin glanced at Nick and chuckled. "Why do you look like you're about to punch someone?"

Nick let his hands relax but he didn't answer Justin just kept reading.

"Are you OK...after such a mind blowing orgasm?" Justin added dramatically.

Nick laughed and read on...

Nathan gave Justin a lazy smile. “Am I OK…?” he mocked, laughing softly. “Justin…after what you just did…I’m fan-fucking-tastic.” He laughed softly again, causing Justin to chuckle, as well. Then, without saying a word, Nathan pulled his soiled wife-beater up and over his head. He then took a part of the dry end, and gently wiped Justin’s mouth and chin with it. After rolling the shirt into a ball he smiled, and quietly said, “You had cum on your chin.”

"That's sexy right there."

Nick swallowed hard and nodded his head. He was picturing that in his mind. "Yeah...it really is." He said in a deep voice.

Justin laughed. "Yup...that's definitely me. I'd SO do something stupid...like end up with cum on my face."

"Everybody ends up with cum on their face their first time...or first dozen times." Nick said with a smile. "Oh and that's it."

"That's all you're gonna read me?"

Nick giggled and nodded. "For now." He said as he shut down the computer and got up to put it in it's case.

Justin laughed. "I'm pathetic. Blue-balled by a fuckin gay story about myself."

Nick had to bust up laughing at Justin for saying that as he walked back to the couch. "I'm not in any better shape...so we're pathetic together then."

"We're losers."

"Yeah...well you're MY loser." Nick said with a sexy smirk as he stopped right in front of Justin and looked down at him.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...guess I am."

"You do know we just read that and got ourselves really turned on with your brothers in the other room right?" Nick asked with a laugh as climbed onto Justin's lap, straddling him.

Justin swallowed hard...immediately feeling Nick's erection against his as the older man settled on his lap. "Yeah...not good."

"Is there some place we can go...that they wont be able to walk in on us?" Nick asked as he leaned down to place kisses on Justin's neck.

Justin laughed and groaned at the same time. "They're in my bedroom. That's the only separate room in the house."

"Shit...we're in major trouble then...cuz if Jon found us last night...who knows what he will find now." Nick mumbled against Justin's neck where he was still placing kisses.

"Yeah...I know...so we...shouldn't do this."

Nick whimpered against Justin's neck as he stopped what he was doing and pulled back. "Guess...you're right." He said looking into Justin's eyes with his own lust filled ones, his voice husky...both signals that he was beyond turned on...not to mention his throbbing erection pressed against Justin's.

Justin smirked and sighed quietly. "Guess we're gonna have to take turns in the bathroom."

Nick pouted and closed his eyes nodded a little. "Yeah." He said sadly. He didn't want his last night with Justin for a few days to be spent jerking off in the shower.

"Or maybe...I don't know about you...but I'm real close. This could be quick."

That caused Nick to laugh a little. "I am too...but Justin...I don't want you doing something that you're going to feel shitty about later." He said honestly.

"Why would I feel shitty?"

"Cuz you were fooling around with your brothers in the other room."

Nick...they're asleep. And right now...after hearing you moan and groan while you were readin that story...I'm so turned on that you could just move on my dick a few times and I'm done."

Nick giggled and smirked as he wiggled on Justin's lap a little bit. "Oh yeah?"

Justin groaned. "Yeah."

Nick bit his lower lip as he ground his hips again, this time a little harder, his eyes never leaving Justin's.

Justin's eyes rolled back and closed as he moaned quietly...lifting his hips up off the couch a bit.

"We're...going to make a huge mess doing this...like this." Nick groaned out.

"Oh well," Justin quickly spat out...his hands gripping Nick's arms. "Feels good."

"Fuck yeah...it does." Nick mumbled as he leaned down to kiss Justin hungrily his hips picking up their pace his eyes going shut in pleasure at the feeling of his and Justin's erections moving together.

Justin kissed Nick back eagerly...plunging his tongue out against the older man's. After just seconds, he moaned into Nick's mouth as he came hard in his pants with no warning at all.

Feeling Justin cum in his pants was all it took for Nick to start moving a little quicker and then cuming in his own PJ pants groaning deeply into Justin's mouth before pulling back to catch his breath.

Justin dropped his head back again and sighed as he, too, tried to steady his breathing. "Damn."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Y...yeah damn is right." He said resting his head down on Justin's shoulder as they both tried to steady their breathing.

"That was hot."

Bringing his head back up he looked down into Justin's eyes and smiled. "I wonder what that Kris girl would do if she knew she made Justin Timberlake almost cum his pants from just listening to his boyfriend read the story."

"It wasn't cuz of the story. It was the way you were reading it."

"I was just reading it normally until like the very end." Nick pointed out. "If my voice was husky or something it was because I was turned on."

"Or because you're hot."

Nick giggled and blushed a little, reaching up to lift his glasses up on his nose again. "Well...I think you're very hot...so it seems like we're a good match."

"Yeah...not to mention we turn each other on like whoa."

"So very true." Nick said with a smirk. "I don't know about you but I'm very sticky...take a shower with me so we can be quick?" He said, knowing quick never happened if you took a shower with somebody else...but he didn't care he wanted to spend as much time with the younger man that he could.

Justin shook his head. "No...we can't. The boys are right there."

"Showers are loud...they actually would have a better chance hearing us out here...then they would in there." Nick pointed out, hoping he wasn't sounding desperate...he just didn't want to leave Justin's side before he had to.

"No. What if they wake up and see us come out of there together?"

Nick sighed and nodded. "You're right." He rested his head down on Justin's shoulder. "Then we're gunna have to be sticky cuz I'm not moving...I'm your leech right now."

Justin laughed. "Gross."

"I don't want to let you go yet." Nick whispered holding onto Justin tighter.

"Just...go wash up and change real quick...then I will...then I'll come tuck you in. I really want to get to bed...cuz I don’t wanna not be there if they wake up."

Nick sighed and nodded, getting up off of Justin. That isn't exactly what he wanted but he wasn't going to say anything. "I'll be back." He said softly as he walked into the bedroom and then into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

Justin sighed as he watched Nick leave the room. He felt bad that he couldn't really spend intimate time with Nick, but he needed to be there for his brothers, and he really wished Nick could understand that.

Nick stepped into the shower and quickly washed up. He understood that Justin had to spend time with his brothers...but it didn't make him feel any better. A few single tears fell from Nick's eyes as he washed his body and then quickly rinsed off. Getting out he groaned when he realized he didn't have clothes to change into.

Justin sighed again as he got up and went into his room...going to the dresser to get out some clean clothes. He was upset. He felt torn between his brothers and his boyfriend...and he didn't like it.

Wrapping the towel around his waist he walked out of the bathroom and into the dimly lit bedroom. He smiled at Justin as he walked past him. "It's all yours." He whispered as he bent over to look through his bag for clean clothes.

Justin just nodded, then walked across the room to the bathroom and locked himself in.

Nick watched Justin go into the bathroom and sighed. He had a good feeling Justin was mad at him now. Taking a deep breath he changed into clean clothes and walked back into the living room. There he pulled his bed out and climbed under the covers, hiding his head under them.

Justin quickly showered and got dressed, then went back out into the living room. He sighed when he saw Nick buried under the covers. "Nick...?"

Nick lifted the covers off his head and nodded. "Yeah?"

"I came to say goodnight."

Nick couldn't help but smile. "Goodnight."

Justin took a deep breath and went over to sit on the edge of the bed. There were some things he needed to get off his chest. "Nick...I know you wanna spend time with me, and be with me and everything...but it can't always happen. I mean...I wanna be with you, too...but I have other commitments, too. Like tonight...with my brothers." He paused to take another deep breath. "You just need to know that...well...I've always been very independent...and I'm gonna do what I wanna do...and be with who I wanna be with. And...well...to be honest...you getting upset everything time that happens...it bothers me. It makes me feel guilty...and makes me feel like you're making me choose between you and other people."

Nick looked up at Justin with tears in his eyes. "I’m sorry...I didn't mean to do anything to make you mad...I'll back off...I'm sorry." He practically begged. "I didn't know it bothered you...I'm sorry."

"Look...relax. I'm not mad. I'm just telling you how I feel. I need you to understand that I'm not always gonna be able to be with you. There are other important people in my life that need my time and attention, too...not to mention parts of my career that are gonna take me away. And...well...you need to learn to not feel so insecure about it. Just cuz you don’t see me for a few days, or whatever doesn't mean you're not still my boyfriend...or I don’t still care about you."

Nick took a deep breath and nodded his head. "I...I understand." He whispered, feeling like shit. "I'll try my hardest to not be so clingy...and not so insecure. It's just this is the first time...I guess part of me...still doesn't think you'll come back." He whispered, looking away.

Justin took a long, deep breath. "I can't predict the future…so I don't wanna make any promises. But as of right now...I can tell you that no matter how often or how long we might have to be apart...I'm coming back. I only wanna be with you, Nick."

Nick turned his head back with tears falling down his cheeks but he had a huge smile on his face. "Thank you...I needed to hear that."

"I'm only one person, Nick...and there are a lot of people that need me...so you're gonna have to share. And like...try not to cry and shit when I need to be with someone else...cuz that makes me feel so guilty."

Nick giggled a little and nodded. "I'll try I promise...because I don't mean for you to feel guilty. I know you have many other things to do. I just have to get used to this...as much as you are. But I want us to work...so I'll work through whatever is going on in my head my insecurities. I just never meant to make you feel like any of what you were saying. I really am sorry."

"OK...apology accepted. But...don't keep everything in your head. Talk to me about how you feel."

Nick thought about something and sighed. "It kinda made me feel...I don't know just sad I guess...when you told me you would sleep with me tonight...but then told your brothers they could. I understand and all…you don't see them much...but I mean you can understand something...and still feel sad right?"

"Yeah. And I apologize...because I knew it would make you sad. But...with the little time they get to spend with me, I just didn't have it in my heart to say no to them.”

Nick nodded his head. "And it's okay...I mean I'll get to sleep with you at least once...sometime." He said, thinking of times where they could...but then he would think of something else in their way. When they are on tour again it's the fear of getting caught by somebody else.

"You're my man, Nick. You'll sleep with me more than once."

Nick snorted and then couldn't help but bust up laughing at the way Justin said that. "Okay...seriously your the only person that can have me crying one second and busting up laughing the next...you're too cute."

Justin chuckled. "It's a gift."

"One of the many that you have." Nick said with a smile. "Thank you for being honest with me. People don't always like to hear their faults...but thank you."

"I didn't mean to make it look like I was pointing out faults...I just wanted you to know how I feel."

"Good...because how you feel is very important to me." Nick said as he sat up in bed to pull Justin in for a hug.

Justin wrapped his arms around Nick's neck to hug him back.

"You better call me at least once from Cali...or I'm going to call Kelly and have her chew you out." Nick giggled against Justin's neck.

"You really think I won't call you?"

Nick shook his head. "No...I didn't mean it like that. I mean I liked to think you would." He rambled, not really sure what he was trying to say.

"Of course I will...lots of times."

"Well...do spend SOME time talking with Kelly and Marty." Nick giggled.

"Yeah...definitely. We have a lot of shit to sort out."

"Yeah you do...but if you ever need to talk call me any time day or night I don't care." Nick whispered.

"OK...I will."

Nick took a deep breath and pulled back from the hug. "Okay...now go get in bed with your brothers." He said with a smile.

Justin smiled. "OK," he said...then kissed Nick softly on the mouth...letting his lips linger on the older man's.

Nick kissed Justin back lightly for a few seconds before pulling back. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"My flight's at ten...so I'm leaving for the airport at eight."

"In the morning or at night?"

"Morning."

"Wake me up when you wake up?" Nick asked softly. "So I can say goodbye."

Justin nodded. "Of course."

Nick smiled a little and nodded back. "Okay good...alright now you may go to bed now...shoe...I don't want you anymore...off my bed." He giggled.

"Fine," Justin said...then got up off the bed.

Nick continued to smile. "Love you." He said quickly before he thought about what he said and then groaned and wanted to hit himself. He knew Justin knew that he loved him...but actually saying it like that was totally different. Taking a deep breath he sat there waiting for the reaction.

Justin digested what Nick had said...and smiled. "Goodnight, Nick."

'Okay at least he didn't yell at me.' Nick thought to himself as he smiled. "Goodnight, Justin.”

Justin looked at Nick for a moment before finally disappearing into his room, and crawling into bed to get comfy with his brothers.

Nick sat up and watched the bedroom door for a few minutes before he finally lied down and crawled under the covers. He didn't fall right to sleep though, his mind was reeling with all the deep, funny and slightly sad moments of the day.

*****@*****

Marty sat Kelly's bags down in the closet of the hotel room and looked around. He wasn't sure why but he felt kinda weird staying in his nice condo while Kelly was staying in a hotel...but it was her choice and he was respecting that.

"Yes...yes, I have..." Kelly said into the hotel phone as she glanced at her watch to see that it was just after noon in LA. "OK...yes, that's great. Thank you very much." She took a deep breath as she hung up the phone, and slipped the business card she was holding back into her small address book. "Well...I have an appointment at four o'clock with my Gynecologist."

"Okay, that's good...gives us time to eat something." Marty replied as he went to sit down next to Kelly on the bed. "What time did Justin say he was taking a plane out this morning?"

"Ten...Tennessee time. So he should be landing any minute. He said he'd call when he gets to his house."

Marty nodded. "It's a little weird going from Utah to California...talk about a change in the weather." He said looking out the window at the 70 degree weather.

Kelly nodded. "I know. But...it's beautiful here, as usual."

"Yup...I can't wait to see what it looks like at the beach." Marty said with a big smile when he thought of his condo on the beach. He had always loved the ocean so having a condo where he did was perfect.

Kelly smiled. "I know...me neither. But...you could have gone over there now, ya know. I'll be fine here by myself for a while," she said with a chuckle. "I'm a big girl."

Marty laughed and nodded. "I know but it will just be easier for when we gota meet up with J...to just be in the same place."

Kelly nodded. "That's true. Maybe it won't be too cold tonight, and we can just sit on the beach and relax for a while. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"That would be really nice." Marty said with another big smile as he flopped back on the bed, his legs long legs dangling off the end. "Do you think Justin is going to let me have anything to do with the baby?" He asked softly and out of the blue.

Kelly turned to look at Marty...sitting on the bed Indian style beside him. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know...I guess it's something that's been kinda bugging me." He admitted.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Well...I can understand that. But...honestly...it's not only Justin's decision. I'M the one carrying this baby, and if I want you to be in its life, then you WILL be...whether Justin likes it or not."

"I don't really think he's going to try and prevent me from seeing it. I just don't want to be in the way either." Marty said softly. "I mean he's the dad no matter what and I don't want to take that away from him...even if I'm the one who is dating it's mom."

Kelly leaned a bit closer to Marty...resting her hand on his chest. "Marty...you're right...he IS the baby's dad. But...you're not gonna be in the way. You could NEVER be in the way. I need you."

Marty smiled a little and nodded. "Okay...I'm glad to hear you say that...cuz I just don't want to feel in the way."

"You won't be. I promise."

"Okay...I guess we'll all just feel better once we talk."

Kelly smiled down at Marty. "I'm sure we will."

"This bed is nice and squishy." Marty giggled as he wiggled around on the bed.

Kelly chuckled. "It's nice...but I'm sure it's not as nice as yours...at home."

"Nope it can't be I just got a new mattress back in the summer. I've only like slept on it maybe a total of two times." Marty laughed. "I'm ready to break it in."

"Well, then...you'll probably get a great night's sleep tonight."

Marty shrugged. "Not necessarily...I won't have you sleeping next to me." He said with a smile as he ran his hand up Kelly's thigh.

Kelly laughed with a small snort. "Yeah, right...cuz if I was there, sleeping would be the first thing on your mind."

Marty smirked a little. "Okay...you caught me...can you seriously blame me?" He said putting on his best innocent face.

Kelly laughed again...her eyes still on Marty's. "Can I blame you for thinking I'm hot...and finding me totally irresistible?"

"Exactly." Marty giggled, looking up at Kelly. "Plus...I'm VERY shocked at myself. I haven't gotten off in like 2 weeks." He said for some strange reason he wasn't really sure of.

Kelly arched one of her perfectly-shaped eyebrows. "Nuh uh."

"Nut uh what?" Marty asked, confused.

"I don't believe you. You could NEVER go that long."

Marty pouted. "I'm not lying...its true."

"Well...then I guess I should say I'm proud of you," Kelly said with a quiet laugh. "That's a very big feat for you."

Marty had to laugh and shake his head. "It wasn't exactly a goal I was going for...just kinda happened."

says:

"Is it a record?" Kelly teased.

"Ummm..." Marty got a look of pure concentration on his face as he tried to remember. "Actually...yeah...probably is a record for me when I'm healthy."

"What do you mean...when you're healthy?" Kelly asked curiously...her fingers starting to toy with the bottom hem of Marty's t-shirt.

"I wasn't exactly going to jerk off or have sex when I was in a coma...or in the hospital after that." Marty replied softly.

"Oh...yeah. Sorry."

Marty shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "It's okay...and it's in the past. There is nothing to worry about."

"Yeah..." Kelly said seriously. "...and I'm determined to never let it happen again."

"I've done good...haven't I?"

"Yes...of course you have...as long as you're not lying to me about how you've really been doing."

"I haven't been lying to you Kelly. The most Caffeine I've had is what I had in the coke you handed to me last night." Marty said, making sure to look Kelly in the eyes so she would know he was telling the truth.

Kelly nodded. "OK...I believe you," she said firmly.

Marty smiled. "Good, I'm glad cuz I'm telling the truth."

"Good...cuz I always want you to tell me the truth...no matter what it is...even if you think it'll hurt me."

"Okay...and the same goes for you. I always want you to tell me the truth too. No matter what." Marty stated.

"I plan on it."

"Good." Marty said with a smile, but it quickly turned into a small smirk. "Can I have a kiss?"

Kelly giggled as she leaned down. "Of course you can," she said just before pressing her lips lightly to Marty's.

Marty quickly responded to the kiss and tried to deepen it just a little. As he did so, his hands continued to rub up and down Kelly's upper thigh.

Kelly returned Marty's kiss slowly and tenderly as she shifted on the bed a bit...curling her legs up against Marty's right side, and leaning down against his chest.

Marty moaned a little when he felt Kelly move closer to him as he deepened the kiss even more, his tongue sneaking out of his mouth and licking around Kelly's lips gently pushing inside.

Kelly brought her hands up to Marty's cheeks as she opened her mouth to him...kissing him slowly and passionately.

Marty's tongue slipped into Kelly's mouth as he used it to lick every inch of her mouth slowly as if it was going to be the last time he was allowed inside.

Kelly let Marty's tongue have its way with her mouth for a short while before she gently eased her own tongue out against his.

Marty groaned softly as his tongue started to passionately fight with Kelly's. His hands moved to the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss even more.

Kelly groaned in response...her thumbs lightly rubbing over Marty's cheeks as she continued kissing him.

Marty continued to kiss Kelly back heatedly, his body starting to heat up the more the kiss continued.

Kelly finally had to pull back and swallow a large gulp of air. "Whoa."

"Yeah...that was really nice." Marty giggled as he tried to catch his breath.

Kelly smiled...still caressing Marty's cheeks as she looked into his eyes. "Very nice."

Marty continued to look into Kelly's eyes. "You are so beautiful." He whispered.

Kelly smiled down at Marty...feeling as though she could get lost in his eyes. "Ya know...no matter how bad I feel...you can always make me feel special. You've always been able to do that."

Marty smiled as he reached up to run a large hand through Kelly's black hair. "I'm glad I make you feel special because you are very special to me. I love you so much, Kelly."

"I know you do," Kelly said...tears forming in her eyes. "You don't have to remind me all the time, either...not by telling me, anyway. You remind me in everything you do...in the way you look at me."

Marty didn't say anything just continued to run his hand through her hair and look into her eyes. He didn't feel like any words needed be said.

"And ya know..." Kelly continued quietly...still looking into Marty's eyes and running the pads of her thumbs over his stubbly cheeks. "...when I think about it now...you used to look at me that same way...even before we first went out."

Marty blushed a little, but didn't move his eyes from the gaze. "I've loved you for a while now." He admitted.

Kelly nodded her head a bit. "I know that NOW. I just wish I knew sooner."

"No...I don't think we would of worked out if it had happened any sooner...and plus you wouldn't have this little person." Marty said, moving his hand from her hair to rest on her stomach.

"No...I wouldn't. But...why don't you think we would have worked out any sooner?"

"Because I think all the stuff that happened with you and Justin...and Nick...happened for a reason." Marty pointed out. "You wouldn't be the same person if it hadn't happened."

Kelly sighed quietly as she thought about that. "No...but maybe I'd be a better person."

Marty shook his head like crazy. "Kelly...you are probably the most down to earth...amazing person that I know. I wouldn't want you any different then you are right this very second." He said firmly.

"Except for maybe...not pregnant with someone else's baby."

"That may cause some problems Kel, but it's happening for a reason. I have faith that everything is going to work out."

"Well...you keep having that faith...cuz I might need to borrow some of it at some point."

Marty smiled and nodded. "I'll try."

Kelly smiled back. "That's all I can ask."

"Is Nick coming with Justin?" Marty asked, just thinking he hadn't heard the other man's name mentioned.

Kelly shook her head. "No...when I spoke to Justin this morning, he said he was staying behind in Tennessee."

"Oh...okay." Marty simply said.

"Justin said he doesn't want Nick to get stuck in the middle of all this beginning stuff. Ya know...deciding everyone's role, and stuff."

Marty nodded. "Make sense...just I wonder what Nick thought of that." He said, kind of understanding how Nick might feel…since they were both the boyfriends of one of the parents.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know."

"Then again...we don't even know what their relationship is." Marty pointed out and then giggling when his stomach started to growl.

Kelly laughed...leaning down to place a big, rough kiss over Marty's t-shirt-covered stomach. "Hungry?"

"A little bit." Marty laughed. "Wonder if Justin is here I wana eat." He said pouting playfully.

As if on cue, Kelly's cell phone rang...causing her to laugh. "Hmm...wonder who that could be?"

"Probably the Boogy Man. "Marty laughed again, just in a silly mood.

Kelly laughed...then groaned as she climbed off the bed, and went over to the table to get her phone out of her purse. She took a seat in one of the chairs as she answered it.

Marty sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. Making faces at Kelly as she answered the phone.

Kelly laughed and looked away from Marty as she spoke to Justin.

"Tell the Boogy Man I say hi!" Marty called from the bed, really being nutty.

Kelly laughed when she finally hung up. "Stupid," she said...referring to Marty's crazy behavior.

Marty pouted playfully and pretended to sniffle. "You called me stupid."

"In a ...silly way."

Marty laughed and shook his head. "So what did our southern boy have to say?"

"He's on his way from the airport. He said that it would just make more sense for him to just some here and meet us downstairs for lunch...instead of going all the way home."

Marty nodded. "Yeah...that sounds good. So he'll be here in like what ten minutes." He giggled, rubbing his stomach. "I'm hungry."

Kelly laughed as she got up and put her phone back in her purse. "Why don't we go down and get a table...and some appetizers?"

Marty nodded. "Okay...sounds like an idea." He said with a smile as he patted his back pocket to makes sure he had his wallet.

Kelly picked up her purse, and then looked at Marty. "All set?"

Marty took Kelly's hand in his and smiled. "Yup let's go." He said as he opened the door and led Kelly out of the room and then down to the elevators.

Kelly pushed the button to cue the elevator, then turned to Marty. "Now that you mention it, I'm pretty hungry, too. We didn't have any breakfast."

"I know my stomach has been growling since the last like hour on the plane." Marty laughed as they got onto the elevator when it came.

"What are you gonna have?"

Marty thought about that for a second and shrugged. "I have NO idea...I'm like beyond hungry...and don't have the slightest idea what sounds good."

Kelly laughed...leading Marty out of the elevator, and toward the hotel's restaurant.

Once in the restaurant Marty told the hostess how many people were in their party and they were seated right away at a table towards the back.

Mista13181JT says:

Kelly slid into the booth, and immediately reached for a menu. "What are you gonna do when I start calling you at like...three in the morning...to tell you I want ice cream and pickles?"

Marty slid into the booth next to Kelly, knowing it would be easier to talk to Justin if he was across from them. What Kelly said made him think of something he really wanted to talk to her about. "Kelly...Umm I know this probably seems sudden and all...but what would you think of moving in with me? I mean you could stay in the spare bedroom and all...It would just be so I can help take care of you."

Kelly took a deep breath...not looking up from her menu. She was truly shocked by Marty's proposal...and really didn't know what to think. "I...umm...I don't know, Marty. I was actually thinking of looking into getting a place...ya know...when we get back from Europe."

Marty nodded his head. "Okay...just think about it a little. It's okay if you don't want to. I just thought I would suggest it."

Kelly nodded...and continued reading the menu. "I definitely want some chicken noodle soup for starters."

"I think I want a salad and a bowl of veggie soup." Marty said as he looked down at his own menu.

"That's all you're gonna have?" I thought you were starving."

"No, of course not...that's what I'm going to have to start with." Marty giggled. "I still don't know what I want for the main course yet."

"Oh...alright...that's more like it," Kelly said with a laugh...her left hand falling on to Marty's right thigh.

Marty rested his right hand on top of Kelly's as he continued to look over the menu. "I think I might get a taco salad."

"You're gonna have a salad now, and a taco salad after?"

"They are two different things. A taco salad as ground beef, beans and all that good stuff." Marty pointed out.

"I know...but why would you get a salad as an appetizer if you're gonna have a salad as your meal? Here..." Kelly said...pointing at a picture on the menu. "...let's get the boneless buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks combo."

Marty looked at the picture and smiled. "Okay that sounds good...but I still want my soup."

Kelly giggled. "Me too."

Just then the waitress came and Marty told her what they wanted and she left almost as quickly as she came barely saying a word to them. "Well...she was nice." He grumbled.

Kelly laughed. "Yup...real pleasant. She didn't even wait for me to order a Diet Pepsi."

"Just a sec, I'll go get your Pepsi." Marty said as he got up and walked over to the waitress.

Kelly laughed as she watched Marty walk away from the table. There was no doubt he'd do anything for her. When she was distracted by her ringing cell phone, she reached into her purse to pull it out and answer it.

After chewing the waitress out a little, Marty walked back to the table. Seeing Kelly was on the phone he sat down quietly and glanced over the menu again just to make sure a taco salad really was what he wanted.

Kelly looked at Marty as she slipped her phone back into her purse. "You weren't mean to her...were you?"

"Mean to who?"

"The waitress."

Marty shook her head. "Nah...Just told her want you wanted and that we didn't appreciate that she walked away without asking us if we wanted anything else. She apologized and said you're Pepsi and my coffee will be here momentarily."

"Oh...OK, then. That was Justin on the phone. He's just about to the hotel, and he's gonna come meet us in here."

"Isn't that what he told us to begin with?" Marty asked, giggling a little.

"Yeah...but he didn't know which restaurant...of if we were down here already."

"Ahh...good point."

"I'm gonna have a cheeseburger," Kelly said...finally closing her menu and setting it on the table.

"That sound's yummy...I was also thinking about having a bacon cheeseburger...but I can't decide." Marty said pouting a little as he looked at the menu. "Eeny, meany, miny, mo..."

"I won't eat the whole thing. I'll get bacon on it, and you can have half of mine."

"You should eat most of it Kel..." Marty started to say then groaned. He remembered how his sisters had gotten when people had bugged them to make sure they were eating enough while they were pregnant.

"Don't worry. I'm having soup...AND the wings and cheese sticks. I'll be eating plenty."

Marty thought about that and then laughed. "Good point...forgot about all the rest of that stuff. Whatever happened to my bunny food...its turn into lion food instead."

Kelly laughed...then tapped Marty's thigh when she saw two of Justin's body guards walk into the restaurant. "He's here."

"Either that or they were just hungry." Marty giggled.

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Nick wasn’t surprised to be enjoying himself. He knew the boys would help him get his mind off of missing Justin and all that was going on in California. They were having so much fun at the Zoo he knew that all three of them would be disappointed when the day was over.

“Can we go see the monkey’s next?” Steven asked as he bounced on Nick’s shoulders where he had been resting since they had, had arrived. The younger boy insisted that it helped him see better.

Jonathan shook his head. “No I wana go see the cats.”

Laughing Nick shook his head. “Why don’t we see the monkey’s first and the cats the very last. They are towards the exit and would just make sense to do it that way.”

Jonathan thought about that for a second and nodded. “Okay, that works.”

As they walked over to the monkey house, Nick spotted a young obviously gay couple out of the corner of his eyes and sighed. He knew Justin and he could never be like that, and of course it made him sad, but that was one thing he DEFINTELY understood. Seeing that though, made him sad and miss Justin even more…feel even more left out. He didn’t want to tell Justin how he felt about how he wasn’t invited with him. It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to be left alone…it was that Justin was making a huge decision his life…without him…a part of his life…an important part.

“Nick look at that funny looking monkey!” Steven exclaimed laughing like crazy. “He’s got a red butt!”

Nick shook himself out of his thoughts to look at what Steven was pointing at. He put on a smile and laughed along with the boys. “Kinda reminds me of that monkey on the Lion King…except of having a blue butt he’s got a red one.”

That caused both the boys to start laughing even more as they continued to walk down the hallways of the monkey house.

“You miss Justin don’t you?” Jonathan stated as they walked out of the monkey house and towards the African savanna area of the Zoo.

Nick was slightly shocked to hear Jonathan ask that but he nodded his head. “A little bit, but I’m sure you guys miss him too.”

Jonathan nodded. “Yeah, I do…cuz he was supposed to be here longer.” He said his voice sad. “We didn’t get much time to be with him.”

Hearing Jonathan say that caused Nick to think back to his conversation with Justin the night before and it all really started to sink in. He was a grown man and understood things a lot better then the boys did. They didn’t fully understand why their brother wasn’t around all the time…and they sure as hell didn’t understand why their brother up and left them to go to California.

“I know, and that sucks big time but Justin had something really, really important that he had to do and I know he’s very sorry that he had to leave.” Nick tried to explain without giving anything away.

Steven who was like totally oblivious to the conversation going on between Jonathan and Nick was busy talking to the animals that they were passing. That was when he saw something and screamed. “LOOK…A GIRAFFE!”

He said it so loud that both Nick and Jonathan jumped a little and turned to look at the giraffe with Steven.

“What’s so cool about a giraffe…they have long necks and eat leaves.” Jonathan said as he looked at the animal that had gotten his little brother so excited. ‘Sometimes he gets excited about the dumbest things.’ He thought to himself, knowing better then to say stuff like that out loud.

“It says here that they are the animals with the longest necks.” Nick read off of a sign in front of the giraffe area. “That seems pretty cool to me.”

Steven laughed and stuck his tongue out at Jonathan. “See…they ARE cool.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Okay…whatever you say…all I know is I’M going to go see the elephants.” He said as he started to walk away on his own.

“Not with us you’re not.” Nick said walking to catch up with Jonathan. “You can’t walk off like that Jon…I know for a fact you know better then that.”

“I’m sorry.” Jonathan said as he walked into the under ground elephant viewing area.

Steven plugged his nose as they walked into the room where you could look into the indoor cage area. “Eew…this place stinks.”

Nick laughed as they looked at the large elephant.

“That one is definitely a boy.” Jonathan pointed out, his small finger poking the glass to show exactly why he knew it was a boy.

Steven giggled like crazy. “That elephant has a big pee-pee.”

Nick turned to look at another family next to him and blushed big time giving them an apologetic smile before turning back to look at the large animals. ‘That guy is very well equipped.’ He thought to himself.

The boys quickly got tired of the elephants and up next was the food area and to watch the Birds of Prey show.

“I want a corn dog with lots and lots and lots of mustard.” Steven said excitedly as he bounced next to Nick who had to put him down to get his wallet out to pay for what they were going to get to eat.

“And what do you want, Jon?” Nick asked looking down at the other boy.

Jonathan looked up at the menu trying to read it. “I want a chili dog…with onions on top.”

Nick made a face. “Kids who like mustard and onions very strange.” He mumbled as he ordered the boys food and his own hotdog with nothing on it.

“Come on Nick we gota hurry or we will miss the show!” Jonathan exclaimed looking down at his batman watch.

“Okay…hold your horses I can’t like make them fix our dogs faster.” Nick laughed as he grabbed Steven’s corn dog and handed it to him. Then Jon’s chili dog to him. Once he had his own hot dog in his hand he looked around the area. “Okay…now let’s go find a place to eat.”

Steven walked ahead and of course went right to the front of where the stage was and found an empty spot on the grass. “This place looks good.”

Nick and Jonathan both agreed and sat down next to Steven and started to eat.

After a few minutes Steven spoke up with a mouth full of his corn dog. “Do you think they will have any cool birds like eagles or something?”

Nick swallowed what was in his mouth and shrugged his shoulder. “I don’t know, Steve…but some types of eagles are really, really rare and hard to find. So, I don’t know if they can have them at shows like this.”

Steven seemed to contemplate this a little but when he started to eat his corn dog again, Nick figured he seemed to understand well enough.

Jonathan looked down at his watch again and then up at the stage. “It should have started like three minutes ago…where is everybody?”

Just then there was a loud bird noise coming from the back of the grassy area and everybody turned to see a huge hawk come flying over their heads.

“Whoa…look!” Steven exclaimed with wide eyes as he watched a man who had come on stage let the bird perch on his arm.

Nick was amazed too as he watched the man tell about the bird and found out it was actually a vulture named Vinnie and that he lived there at the Zoo since he was a baby.

Jonathan and Steven watched on in amazement as they too listened to everything the man and his fellow workers talked about all the different types of birds.

After listening for a while Nick watched the boys and smiled. They were so cute and so well behaved. Sure they argued and everything but they were still like best friends. ‘I will have to try Aaron when I get home.’ He though to himself before he turned back to the show.

*****@*****

Justin reached for a buffalo wing the second the platter was set in the table. "Ya'll ordered already?" he asked before biting off half of it in one shot.

Marty shook his head. "Nope...we were waiting for you."

"Then what's all this?" Justin asked...gesturing at the appetizers.

Kelly laughed. "OK...we didn't order our MEALS yet."

"Yeah...we were kinda hungry." Marty giggled.

"Starving," Kelly corrected...putting a wing and a mozzarella stick on her plate. "How was your flight?"

"Okay we were STARVING." Marty said rolling his eyes.

Justin shrugged as he put a napkin on his lap and reached for a cheese stick. "Same as always. Oh...Ya'll don't mind sharing, do you?"

Kelly giggled. "You can SO tell that you've been in Tennessee."

Marty nodded. "Yeah...bet it's been a LOT warmer then the weather we've been experiencing."

Justin shrugged again. "It was nice. Not as nice as here, though."

"Nope...this is my kind of weather. After growing up where you feel like you should live in an igloo...this is perfect." Marty laughed before he took a bite of his buffalo wing. "I haven't been to my condo yet...it's probably beautiful there right now."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure it is."

"How are things with you and Nick?" Kelly asked Justin in a quiet voice before taking a bite of her soup.

Marty nodded. "Yeah..."

Justin smiled at Kelly. "Things are good. I mean...he's been having some...like...insecurity issues, and stuff...but we talked it out last night."

"Insecurity issues?" Marty asked with a raised eyebrow as he took a bite of his soup

Justin nodded. "Yeah...like...he was getting all sad when I needed to spend time with my brothers, and stuff. I don't know...I was feeling like I had to chose between him and them."

"Oh. Well...that's not good," Kelly said before sipping her soda.

Marty nodded. "Yeah...I can see how that would be a problem."

Justin nodded again. "Yeah...so...I told him he needed to stop because he was making me feel guilty. I told him he had to understand that I needed to spend what little time I have for them WITH them. Basically...I had to convince him that even though I can't be with him...and JUST him...all the time...it doesn't change the way I feel."

"And did he understand?" Kelly questioned...genuinely concerned.

"Yeah...because he's going to have to get used to it when you're on tour...I mean you're leaving after new years again." Marty said, also genuinely concerned.

"I know..." Justin started...looking up at Marty. "...and that's what I told him. I mean...not as far as Europe's concerned...cuz he's coming with me. But...there will be plenty of times when I'll have to be away from him."

Marty nodded and sighed a little. "He probably just needs time to understand. I mean he's probably never had a famous boyfriend before."

"He'll understand...eventually. I mean...especially with...the baby, now. Now my time is going to be spread even thinner...so he's gonna HAVE to understand."

"But WILL he?" Kelly asked. "I mean...how does he feel about the baby?" It didn't even dawn on her that she was talking to Justin about their child face-to-face for the first time...and it wasn't bothering her. She wasn't nervous.

"Well...we probably have a pretty good indication that he didn't go totally ballistic. I mean Justin did say they were okay." Marty pointed out as he took a big sip of his coffee.

"You're right," Justin agreed. "He says he's cool with it...and he's happy about the baby...that it's a good thing. But...I don't know...we'll see."

Kelly studied Justin across the table. "Are you sure you're OK, J?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I'm fine. Just...a lotta new shit to deal with all at once...ya know?"

Kelly nodded slowly. "Tell me about it."

Marty laughed and nodded too. "Yeah...it's been a really wacky last few weeks."

Justin took a deep breath and sipped his water. "Speaking of which...how are you two doing with everything?"

Marty looked at Kelly and then back at Justin. "We've had a very interesting last few days, but we're making it through."

Kelly took a deep breath as she nodded, too. "Yeah. I mean...I'm not gonna lie...it's been tough. And...I'm sure it will continue to be tough. But...at least from my point of view, I have support...so..."

Marty placed his right hand on Kelly's left knee under the table and squeezed it gently as if proving to her that was true.

"Have you thought about telling your family?" Justin asked curiously.

Kelly shrugged. "I've thought about it...but...I really don't want to. It's none of their concern."

"Kelly kinda had a bad phone conversation with her sister before Christmas." Marty said, thinking he should mention that...but hoping he wasn't stepping any boundries with Kelly by doing so.

Justin raised his eyebrows. "She called you?"

Kelly shook her head. "No. She wrote me a letter...saying she wanted me to come for Christmas...so *I* called HER."

"And...?"

Kelly shrugged. "And...she basically called me a failure...again. And told me Marty wasn't good enough for me because he's ONLY a dancer. And...pretty much called me crass and stupid and crazy. Oh...and made sure I still knew how disappointed in me everyone is."

Justin sighed and shook his head. "Unbelievable."

"I know...I couldn't believe it...talk about showing Christmas spirit." Marty groaned.

"Why the hell did she even want you to go there, then?"

"To talk sense into me, I guess."

Marty snorted and rolled his eyes.

"Can you imagine what they'd have to say NOW? Now that I'm all knocked up, and shit?"

Justin grimaced and shook his head. "Kel...don't say it like that, baby. When I hear 'knocked up,' I think of some poor girl who's baby's daddy ditched her. That's not your case…and it never WILL be."

Marty nodded in agreement. "Yeah...that doesn't fit this situation at all. You have definitely got it better then a lot of girls do."

Kelly sighed quietly as she nodded. "I know."

"You're never gonna be alone in this, Kelly," Justin assured her.

Again Marty nodded. "Never."

Justin glanced at Marty...then back at Kelly. "See? Extra support."

"Yeah I was telling Kelly I feel sorry for this baby if it's a girl...cuz then she could have 3 daddies to fight off boyfriends." Marty laughed.

Justin nodded and managed a smile. "Yeah."

Marty took a deep breath and leaned back against the booth. "Yeah...will be interesting."

Kelly set her soup spoon down and took a long, deep breath. "OK...we may as well get this conversation out of the way before we order lunch."

Marty continued to rest back against the booth, not really sure how to start this conversation.

"Well...J...I'm sure you get the impression that Marty really wants to be a part of this baby's life."

Justin just nodded...looking down at his napkin on his lap.

"But...I realize you want to be too...and you’re the baby's father...and I don't want to get in the way of that." Marty added.

Justin took a deep breath as he thought for a moment. "Marty...I know you love Kelly. And...I'm so glad that she has you...and that you want to help take care of her and the baby. And...that's great...*I* want you in our child's life, too...because you're an important part of both OUR lives. But...I mean...don't take this the wrong way...but...I'M this baby's ONLY father."

Marty let what Justin said sink in and he nodded his head. "I understand that Justin." He wouldn't admit that, yeah that hurt him a little...but he knew he had no reason to be hurt. It was Justin's baby after all. He was just the person who loved its mother.

Justin took another breath and went on. "I mean...I want you to be a big, big part of this baby's life...a HUGE part. I want the baby to have a relationship with you in a parent type of way...if you're still gonna be with Kelly. But...I'm the dad. And Marty...you know you're one of my best friends, so I'm not saying this to hurt you. I just want us all to know where we all stand."

Kelly sat quietly as she listened to the two men sort things out.

Marty nodded again. "That makes sense. I'm not the baby's father so why would I be called dad." He took a deep breath, this was turning out to be harder then he thought it would. No matter how much he understood what Justin was saying the words were hitting him like a tone of knives. "So...umm I'm just mom's boyfriend then? I mean I don't expect to be anything else...I'm just saying."

Justin sighed and shook his head. "I don't know. I don't know what your exact title will be."

"We've got a while to figure it out...and I mean we can always let the kid name me whatever the hell it wants to..." Marty said with a small laugh. "That is a slightly scary thought."

Kelly sighed and finally piped up. "Are you two gonna be OK?"

Marty turned to look at Kelly and then Justin. "We're cool right?"

"As far as I'm concerned...? Yes. I just...I don't want you to think I'm being an asshole, man. You know I love you."

Marty smiled and nodded. "I know...and I don't think that. I'm cool with everything as long as I'm not totally thrown to the side and ignored." He giggled.

Justin shook his head even though Marty was laughing. "That'll never happen."

"Okay...then I'm cool."

Kelly smiled. "OK...so we're all cool, then."

"We've still got one more person that I personally feel is concerned to...maybe I'm just noticing it more because I'm sorta in the same place as he is...but guys Nick will be involved in this as much as I am. I mean I'm YOUR boyfriend" Marty said looking at Kelly..."And Nick's yours." He said softly looking at Justin.

Justin nodded. "I know that...but right now...he ISN'T as involved. I mean...you're MUCH more involved right now...because you're gonna be with Kelly the whole time she's pregnant. Does that make sense?"

Marty nodded his head. "I get it...I just thought I should mention it. Cuz if I was him I think I would feel a little left out...but it's not really my position to say anything."

"I'm sure he DOES feel a little left out," Justin said with a nod. "But...I needed to come here and do this with you guys myself."

"I guess I can understand that," Kelly said.

Marty nodded. "Yeah I can too."

"I mean...ya'll don't need to worry. If we're still together...he'll be in the baby's life."

"Would kind of hard for him not to be."

"Did you tell your mom?" Kelly suddenly asked Justin.

Justin nodded and smiled a bit. "Yeah...she was a lot cooler than I thought she'd be. She didn't mention how she feels about being a gramma, though."

Marty had to giggle at that. "Lynn...a grandma...that is going to be interesting to see."

Justin laughed quietly. "Tell me about it."

"My mom knows too." Marty added. "She was really cool about it too."

Justin nodded. "Good...I'm glad."

Kelly took a deep breath. "And me...? I have no parents to tell, fortunately."

"Which could be a good thing in this situation." Marty said with a small laugh, always trying to be the one to lighten the situation.

"OK..." Justin said...sitting up a bit and leaning his forearms on the table. "Now we need to talk about your health," he said to Kelly. "Your eating habits...your smoking and drinking habits..."

Kelly groaned and sat back in the booth.

Marty giggled and looked at Justin. "Ohh...this could be fun...we've already got rid of her last pack of cigarettes...and she said she wont drink anymore...so that's two things down."

"OK...and what about your eating? We all know you tend to not eat enough sometimes."

Kelly rolled her eyes. "I'm eating enough, J. Don't worry about me."

"I'll watch her when you can't...and you can watch her when I can't....we'll make sure she eats." Marty said with a determined look on his face.

Justin nodded. "And what about where you're gonna live...after Europe, and stuff? You don't have a place here anymore...do you?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...and I'm not gonna live in a hotel again...so I'll look for one."

Justin shook his head. "No. You can just live with me."

Marty bit his bottom lip but didn't say anything.

"No. I mean...thank you...but I can't live with you. I'm too independent. And besides...you have Nick, now. Won't he be staying with you?"

"In the guest house. But...if you'd rather...I'll have him live with me...and YOU can have the guest house."

Kelly shook her head slowly. "No, J. Thank you...but no."

Justin sighed. "Kel...I just wanna make sure you're OK...and you always have someone around."

"I think it would be a good idea." Marty said giving in his two sense. "I mean if you were having a baby when you were married or whatever your husband would always be there. Plus if you do that...you WOULD have your own place. I'm sure Justin wouldn't drive you TOTALLY insane."

"But that's the thing. I'm NOT married...and I DON'T have a husband."

"I just meant you need somebody around." Marty said softly.

Kelly sighed. "Guys...I'll be fine...OK? Besides...I'm sure none of you will ever leave me alone, anyway."

"She's got a point." Marty laughed.

Justin sighed. "Yeah...she does. But...I'm gonna get a beeper...and only YOU'RE gonna have the number...so you can always get me...OK?"

Kelly smiled and nodded. "OK. Deal."

Marty nodded. "Okay sounds like a plan. And Justin has my cell number so he can call me if you call him and something is wrong."

Kelly nodded again. "OK...so...see? Everything's taken care of."

"Just don't mention to Nick that offer you just made Kelly...he might attack her and beg her to take it so he could live with you." Marty giggled.

Justin laughed and rolled his eyes. "Our little secret, then."

"Exactly." Marty laughed and reached to take a sip of his coffee, making a face when it was cold but he drank it down anyway for the caffeine. It was then that something hit him and he wondered if it would effect how much Justin let him be around his kid.

Justin drank down some more of his water. "So kids...what else is going on?"

Marty put his coffee down quickly feeling as if Justin could see right through him.

Kelly and Justin both looked at Marty curiously. "What's wrong, man?" Justin asked.

Marty looked at Justin and then back down at his coffee mug. "I guess I should be honest about something...Justin."

Kelly took a deep breath and squeezed Marty's knee. She knew what he was about to say.

"OK..." Justin said quietly...urging Marty on.

"I've been well having a problem with caffeine pills." Marty said softly not looking up. "I have a history of being really addicted to them and starting a month or so ago...I started up again."

Justin took a deep breath. "And now...are you OK?"

"No...I haven't taken anything since Christmas eve."

"You're not OK?"

Marty smiled at Kelly and nodded his head as he looked back at Justin. "I'm getting there. I definitely got caught a lot sooner then I did last time...thank goodness."

Justin looked back and forth between his two friends. "Well..." he said...taking a deep breath. "..If you need us to get you any help, or anything..."

"I'm okay as long as I have something to distract me. The baby thing has actually helped in that sense." Marty laughed a little.

Justin nodded...smiling a bit. "OK...but if you DO need help...please let us know."

Marty nodded. "I promise you guys both that I will let you know if this gets out of control." He said honestly.

Kelly smiled and kissed Marty's cheek.

Smiling, Marty leaned his face into the kiss a little. "So, you and Nick actually gave each other boyfriend titles and stuff right?"

Justin smiled and nodded. "Yeah...pretty much. It's weird."

"Yeah...I can see how it would be weird...but you're happy right?" Marty asked, wanting to make sure Justin was happy.

"Yeah. I mean...I think things could be pretty close to perfect if he could just get over the insecurity thing."

"He seems like he's like that with a lot of things though. He's pretty sensitive."

"Yeah...he is...and I understand. But...I just can't deal with the guilt shit. I have enough guilt already over never being able to see my family. Especially my brothers."

"I'm sure he knows that," Kelly stated.

"Now that you told him it was bothering you he'll probably change. That guy would do anything for you." Marty said with a smile.

Justin laughed. "Probably."

"Was he staying at your house while you're gone or was he going to a hotel?"

"He stayed at my house. He'll be cool there."

Marty nodded. "That's cool...He'll probably feel at home." Just then Marty thought of something. "What does his family think of all this touring around with you stuff?"

"He doesn't speak to his parents. And his one brother that he's close to doesn't exactly know where he is...or who he's with."

"Gees...I would have a total attack if my sister did something like that. Talked to me but didn't tell me where she was."

"He's gonna tell him soon. He was just trying to protect my identity."

"Awe, what a sweetie." Marty giggled, looking over at Kelly wondering why she was so quiet. "You okay?"

"Yeah..." Kelly started...a thoughtful look on her face. "...but this reminds me, J...we're not gonna tell people...are we?"

Marty turned to look at Justin, curious about his answer.

"Well...we should definitely tell the people on tour. They won’t leak."

Kelly nodded. "I agree."

"Yeah...that makes senes."

"But...I mean...you;re not gonna go public with it, right?"

"Not now...I'l think about it for a while...get some ideas on how to go about it." Justin rolled his eyes with that thought. "I can't WAIT to see what Johnny thinks."

Marty made a face and laughed. "I can see that vain in his forehead like pulse so hard it's going to explode."

"Tell him soon," Kelly suggested. "Cuz he's gonna know we're training a new dancer."

"Yeah...not really any way to hide it." Marty added and took a deep sigh.

Justin nodded. "I'll call him this afternoon."

"Speaking of this afternoon...I have a doctor's appointment."

"Oh yeah I totally forgot about that."

"Oh. Do you want me to go?" Justin asked.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. You don't have to. It's not gonna be anything exciting. Just a pelvic exam and check-up."

Marty made a face at the sound of that. "Doesn't that sound like a joyful way to spend your afternoon."

Kelly laughed. "No big deal."

"You wouldn't have one of those tests where you can see the baby on the screen without me...would you?"

"She better not or I will tickle her." Marty said moving his fingers up and down Kelly's thigh in a tickling fashion until he got to her side. "That would just be like against the parenting handbook or something."

Kelly giggled. "I wouldn't...I promise...but that's not for a few weeks, yet."

Justin smiled. "OK...good. Cuz I don't wanna miss that."

"You have GOT to show me pictures." Marty said with a smile.

Kelly chuckled...kissing Marty's cheek. "Of course."

Just then Marty noticed something and laughed. "You guys do realize we've been here for over an hour and haven't even ordered anything yet?"

Justin laughed. "And I'm starved."

"Now where the hell is that annoying waitress." Marty exclaimed looking around the room.

Justin laughed at Marty. "Oh boy."

Marty looked over at his friend. "What?"

"You need me to flirt with her...since you're obviously not her type?"

That caused Marty to glare are Justin playfully. "Nobody needs to flirt...and if we did...I could do it just fine."

Justin laughed again. "OK."

"Unless she's a lesbian," Kelly pointed out.

"Oh...in that case I really need her number." Marty joked.

Justin laughed as Kelly smacked Marty's leg under the table.

"Ouch...why did you do that for?" Marty pouted, rubbing his leg.

"How many times do I have to tell you? No lesbian action."

Marty tried hard not to laugh and decided to play along. "But, honey!" He whined.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, Kel...come on. That WOULD be kinda hot."

"See!" Marty said with a raised eyebrow. "Even the bi dude wants to see it." He said quietly.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "You two are sick."

"Honestly tell me you wouldn't want to see two guys going at it." Marty giggled, not sure how in the world they got on this topic.

Kelly made a face. "No...I wouldn't!"

"Good...cuz neither would I." Marty said making a face of his own.

Justin laughed. "*I* on the other hand..."

"Eeww."

"You have to like it...you do it." Marty pointed out.

Kelly nudged Marty as the waiter approached...not wanting to risk her walking off and losing the chance again.

It too Marty a second to figure out why Kelly was nudging him but then figured it out and called to the waitress. Which in return she took one look at their table and ran off.

"What the hell's her deal?" Kelly asked...getting agitated.

Marty looked in the direction she had gone and saw her poking her head around a corner and looking in their direction again and Marty got what was going on. "She's nervous because of Justin."

Justin laughed. "See...? Told you you weren't her type."

Marty's stomach growled loudly so he chose not to comment on what Justin had said. "Okay, Mr. super star work your magic and get our waitress over here so we can eat."

Justin chuckled as he looked in the direction the waitress had run off in...waiting until she peeked around the corner again to flash her his smile and beckon her over.

Marty rolled his eyes and laughed a little.

The waitress looked at Justin and slowly made her way towards them. Stopping in the middle and turning around to almost run back again but she seemed to compose herself and turned back around and finished walking to their table.

Justin smiled again when she got to the table. "Hi, there...would you mind taking our order? We're all pretty hungry."

She nodded her head and took out her little pad of paper. "What would you like?" She asked Justin as she totally ignored the rest of the people at the table.

"I'll have a steak and cheese with peppers and onions...and fries, please...and my friends will have...?" Justin looked across the table questioningly.

"I'll have a taco salad and a refill on my coffee please." Marty answered.

"Cheeseburger, please...well done...with fries...and another Diet Pepsi."

The girl wrote down their orders and smiled big at Justin. "It will be here shortly." With that she walked away and once she was by her friends she started giggling like crazy.

Kelly laughed and shook her head. "Works like a charm every time."

Marty rolled his eyes as he took another sip of his cold coffee making a disgusted face. "No idea what they see in you but okay." He joked.

Justin pouted. "Shut up...I'm hot."

"Oh yeah...says who?" Marty asked, knowing that was a very stupid question.

"Me," Kelly threw out with a laugh.

Marty glared at Kelly playfully. "You ain't helping."

Kelly laughed and leaned over to place a soft kiss on Marty's neck. She didn't know why, but she was just really liking being close and affectionate with him.

"Oh...I will glare more if I get the response" Marty giggled.

Justin laughed across the table. "Ya know...I'm glad to see ya'll so happy."

"It will be interesting to see you and Nick when you two aren't at each other throtes."

"Yeah...well...hopefully you won't see it for a while."

"So you guys haven't fought over anything since we saw you last?" Marty asked, slightly shocked since he remembered there always seemed to be some drama going on between those two. "I mean besides your being clingy talk...but that wasn't really a fight...right?"

"We've been good...I think. Being home as put me a lot more at ease."

"That's good." Marty smiled.

Kelly nodded her agreement...taking Marty's hand in hers. "Yeah...I'm glad. I figured things would be easier for you at home."

Marty held onto Kelly's hand under the table and squeezed it lightly. "Yeah everything is more relaxed."

"Yeah," Justin said with a nod. "And my parents really like him, too...so..."

"That is definitely a plus." Marty said as he looked down at his empty coffee cup.

Kelly's eyes followed Marty's to his cup, then she leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear. "You're fine. Drink some water," she said before kissing his earlobe.

Marty took a deep breath and nodded, taking his water and drinking the small glass down. He wasn't sure why he was starting to freak out right then but something hit him hard in the last minute.

Kelly brought a hand up to the back of Marty's neck and rubbed it gently. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly as Justin looked on in concern.

"I don't know." Marty whispered as he felt himself start to break out in a sweat. This was too strange and he didn't like it. "Be right back...I'm going to go to the bathroom." He said getting up and walking towards the bathrooms quickly.

Kelly watched Marty take off, then looked at Justin nervously. "Go check on him?"

Justin nodded, and got up to head to the bathroom right away...his man having a hard time keeping up with him. Justin went into the mens' room and looked around for his friend. "Marty?"

Marty was in the little room off to the side where the sinks were located and slashing water on his face or more like practically soaking his head in the sink.

Justin walked up to Marty when he saw him and put a hand on his friend's back. "What's goin on, man?"

Marty practically jumped ten feet in the air when Justin put a hand on his back. He was nervous and fidgety all of a sudden. It was if after the last few days of having to worry about the baby his body thought it would be nice...but now that things were somewhat okay...it thought it would attack him full force. And he thought he was actually going to get off easy. "I don't really...know."

"Something had to happen to upset you. You were fine a second ago."

"I can't think of anything." Marty said as he grabbed a paper towel with shaky hands. "Shit...I thought I was going to be lucky...and this wasn't going to happen." He said sadly as he leaned against the bathroom wall, dabbing at his wet face with the paper towel.

"What? What's happening?"

"I'm addicted to a drug, Justin. Right now my body wants that drug more then anything and it's like fighting itself or something. It's used to having up to 15 caffeine pills in it in a day...and all I've had in 48 hours is a can of coke and the coffee I just drank." Marty tried to explain, but the more he said the more it freaked him out. “Why did I have to pick NOW of all times to start this shit again?” He yelled at himself.

"I don't know," Justin said…trying to talk it out with his friend. "What made you start taking them again."

"Eddie had them...he only takes them when he's really bad off and I know that cuz he's got a bottle that is almost to the expiration date...but anyway he asked me if I wanted them without knowing my history and I did." Marty whispered looking down at the wadded up paper towel in his hands, ashamed for being so weak.

"OK. But...look at you right now, dawg. I mean...you're fighting it...right?"

"I'm trying to." Marty answered looking up at Justin. "I almost lost her, Justin...Kelly I almost lost her because I was stupid."

"And I know damn well you don't want that to happen. You love that girl."

Marty smiled big at that and nodded his head. "More then anything."

"OK," Justin went on calmly. "And she needs you more than anything...and so does that baby. Marty...I'm not gonna be able to be around for her...for them...all the time. And when I'm away, I need to know she has someone I trust to take care of her."

Marty looked down at his shaky hands and quickly shoved them into his pockets. He wouldn't let himself be weak. No matter how shitty he felt he was going to try his hardest to not let it show. "You can trust me...I'll make sure she gets everything she needs...I promise."

"I know that, Marty," Justin said honestly. "There are very few people that I trust completely. I could probably count them on one hand...and you're one of them."

"Really?" Marty asked, shocked for some reason

"Yeah...of course. We've always been tight."

Marty smiled and nodded. "Yeah we have...and I guess I should of known you trusted me...cuz I mean I know about Nick...even though you didn't tell me."

"Kelly wouldn't have told you if she thought I didn't trust you."

"True." Marty said as he walked to throw his paper towel away. He was still sweating more than normal and his stomach was in knots but he chose to ignore it. "Let's go back out to the table, maybe our food is there." He said, even though he knew he wouldn't be eating it.

"If you're not OK, I think you should go rest. I'll stay with Kelly until she finishes eating."

"I think I'm okay." Marty said as he opened the door and walked out of the bathroom.

Justin took a deep breath, and followed Marty back to the table.

Marty took a few deep breaths as he walked to the table and put on a smile when he sat down. "Sorry, about that."

Kelly looked at Marty...her eyes full of concern. "What happened?"

"I guess I started having withdrawal symptoms." Marty admitted as he sat on his shaky hands not wanting Kelly to see how bad it was. He hoped she wasn't looking to closely and didn't see the sweat on his forehead and the back of his neck.

Kelly noticed, of course. She sighed quietly. "You're a mess, Marty," she said...then turned to take her room key out of her purse. "Go up and lay down. I'll take our food to go when it's ready."

Marty thought about this for a second, and since he didn't want to cause a scene he nodded and took the key with a shaky hand. "I'm sorry guys." He said softly as he stood up.

"Don't worry about it, man...take care," Justin said.

"I'll see you later." Marty said before walking away from the table and out of the restaurant.

Kelly just looked at Justin pleadingly.

"Go," he said...as if reading her mind. "I'll have the food sent up."

"Thank you," Kelly said...quickly grabbing her purse and giving Justin a peck on the lips before running after Marty.

*****@*****

After Justin had Marty and Kelly's food sent to them upstairs, had his own food wrapped, and paid the bill, his body guards escorted him out to the waiting limo. One he was settled inside, he checked his watch to see that it was just around two o'clock. 'Five o'clock at home,' he thought...pulling out his cell phone and dialing the number to Nick's phone.

Nick was watching TV when he felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket and then start ringing. Thinking it was probably Aaron calling him back since he had left a message with him he picked it up. "Hello?"

Justin couldn't help but smile when he heard Nick's voice. "Hi there, handsome," he greeted him with a laugh.

The smile on Nick's face probably couldn't have gotten any bigger when he heard Justin's voice on the other end. "Hey!" He exclaimed as he shifted around on the couch to get more comfortable. "What's up?"

"Not too much. What are you up to? Have you been bored as hell all day?" Justin asked...taking his container of fries out of the takeout bag, opening it up, and nibbling on one.

"Actually I've been very busy and have the backache to prove it." Nick laughed as his left had automatically went to his upper back and shoulder blades.

"What? Why's your back hurt?"

"I took Jon and Steve to the Zoo...and I had Steve riding on my shoulders almost the whole time."

Justin's heart immediately melted. "You...what...?" he asked quietly.

"I uhh...took your brothers to the Zoo." Nick said softly back, not sure what to think if Justin's reaction because he couldn't see his face.

"You did?"

"Yes...I took then to the Zoo...we were there from like eleven this morning until like an hour ago."

Justin smiled as he ate another French fry. "Nick...you didn't have to do that."

Nick groaned a little as he stretched out on the couch, moving into an almost lying down position. "I know I didn't HAVE to do it...I wanted."

I wanted to*

"Well...thank you. That was very sweet of you. I'm sure they must have really enjoyed themselves."

"Yeah they did...I had fun to." Nick said with a smile as he thought back over the day. "But enough with my day...how are things there?"

Justin sighed quietly. "Pretty good, I guess...I mean we talked things out...made some decisions, and stuff. You should see Kelly...she's glowing...and beautiful."

Nick smiled, the feeling of being left out coming back but he tried to ignore it. "I'm sure she is...and I'm glad you worked things out."

"Yeah...we pretty much did, I guess. But...I'm kinda worried about Marty. He's not feeling very well," Justin said...not going into detail, as that was Marty's business.

"Oh man...that isn't good. I hope he gets feeling better soon....but what do you mean you guess. What haven't you guys figured out?"

"Well yeah...I mean...everything we CAN figure out as of right now, anyway. I'm just kinda worried about Kelly being on her own. I mean...I told her I want her to come live with me so I can look out for her...but she said no. So then I told her she could have the guest house and YOU could live with me, instead...but she said no to that, too. She's too damn independent for her own good."

Nick laughed a little at that. "Yeah...I can totally see her being like that...and bad Kelly for not taking that last option...I kinda like that idea." He said in a joking tone.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...we all thought you would have."

"Oh so I was brought up in this conversation too? Should I be scared?"

"No...you shouldn't be scared. Nothing bad was said. They're both actually really happy for us, I think."

Nick smiled and sighed. "Good...I'm glad cuz it's nice to have support from friends."

"Yeah...it really is," Justin agreed before shoving a couple more fries into his mouth.

"What are you eating?" Nick asked with a smile on his face. He had heard Justin chewing from the beginning and it was starting to make him hungry.

Justin laughed. "Fries."

"Sounds yummy. I wonder if you have anything other then cereal here to eat." Nick joked as he attempted to get up.

"I'm sure there is. If not, ask my mom to cook for you. Or...there's a shitload of takeout menus in one of the kitchen cabinets. And incase you haven't noticed, yet...I left some cash over by the phone for you...incase you need anything."

That was actually the first time he had noticed as he glanced over at the phone. "I hadn't noticed...but thanks." Getting up slowly with a low groan he walked into the kitchen, his cell phone still pressed to his ear.

"No problem. Order yourself some food if you're hungry."

"I might do that...or actually cereal sounds pretty good. I've already packed my body with enough junk food today to last me twenty years." Nick said as he opened the cereal cupboard and got out Coco Puffs.

Justin laughed. "Where are the boys now?"

"In the house...They wanted to stay close to their mom for the night. Steve was passed out on the couch the last time I saw him and Jon wasn't far behind." Nick laughed as he got a bowl and poured his cereal.

"I'm sure they're worn out...between yesterday and today."

Nick walked to the fridge and grabbed the milk. "Yeah...but it was all fun." He said taking a deep breath as he looked around the empty house.

"Thank you so much, Nick...for being so good with them."

"You don't need to thank me. I was happy to do it. I would of been pretty lonely and bored all day anyway."

"You can over to the house anytime you want, ya know."

Nick smiled a little and nodded even though Justin couldn't see him. "I know that."

"OK. Hey...how'd you get to the zoo today, anyway?"

"You're mom let me borrow her car." Nick answered around a mouth full of Coco Puffs.

"You can use mine, ya know. The keys are on that little table by the door."

Nick got a giddy smile on his face when he thought about that. "I just might take you up on that offer if I go out again."

"That's fine...just...don't touch any of the settings...or I'll have to hurt you," Justin joked with a laugh.

"What would happen? Would rockets shoot out the back or something." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed. "Hardly."

"Awe man, that would of been cool." Nick giggled as he took another bite of his cereal.

"Whatever," Justin said through a mouthful of fries.

"Where are you right now?"

Justin groaned. "On my way to Johnny's office."

Nick made a face at the sound of that. "Now that doesn't sound like fun AT ALL."

"No...cuz he's not gonna be happy with me. I have a bunch of shit to tell him, and he's gonna have to decide what's gonna be made public...and how."

"The baby shit?"

Nick laughed and shook his head. "Wait that sounded bad."

Justin chuckled. "Yeah, it did. But...yes. That's what I mean...pretty much."

"Celebrities have babies all the time...it's not like you're the first person to ever do it." Nick pointed out as he finished off his cereal.

"Yeah...I know."

Nick thought back to what Justin had said. "What did you mean when you said pretty much?"

"I don't know. I'm thinking I should probably tell him about you."

Nick's eyes went wide and chocked on his last bite of cereal a little. "Really?" He asked once he had composed himself.

Justin laughed. "Are you OK?"

Nick cleared his throat and got up to get a glass of water. "Yeah I'm fine." He said in a gravely voice.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm good." Nick said his voice sounding normal this time after taking a big drink of his water.

"OK. Don't make me worry about you."

Nick giggled. "I really am fine...you just shocked me right when I took a big bite of cereal."

Justin chuckled. "Well...sorry. But yeah...I think I'm gonna tell him. He should know."

"Yeah...you're probably right." Nick said as he got up to put his bowl in the sink. "I wonder what he's going to think.

"I'm sure he'll be surprised. But...I don't know."

"Hey...*I* Myself am still a little surprised at everything that has happened. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be dating Justin Timberlake."

Justin laughed. "Yup...and Justin Timberlake never thought in HIS wildest dreams that he'd be dating a guy."

Nick laughed. "Yup...but it's happening and it ain't half bad huh."

"No...it isn't."

"I miss you." Nick said softly as he looked around the empty house. "I really wish I could be with you right now." He admitted, not able to keep himself from saying it anymore. He just hoped Justin wouldn't get upset.

Justin sighed quietly as he looked out the window. "I know. I miss you, too."

Nick carried the phone over to the couch again and flopped on it with a sigh. "What's the weather like?"

"It's pretty nice. About seventy...sunny."

"That sounds really nice."

"It IS nice. I'd rather be home, though."

"I would rather you were home too." Nick whispered as he lied down on the couch. He tried to figure out if he should tell Justin something that was bothering him...but he didn't want to cause a big fuss either.

"Don’t worry. I'll be there soon. You won't have much time to miss me."

Nick giggled a little. "I already miss you. It's weird being here without you."

"No need to feel weird. Make yourself at home. Please."

"I know...and I am." Nick bit his bottom lip to keep from getting emotional. "Tell Kelly and Marty I say hi the next time you see them...please."

"I will."

"Thank you...cuz I miss them too."

Justin sighed again...having noticed a change in the tone of Nick's voice. "What's up?" he asked quietly.

"The ceiling." Nick said with humor in his voice. He knew he needed to talk to Justin but he was scared to.

"Ha ha."

Nick couldn't help but giggle a little at that. "Hey I thought it was pretty funny."

"What's on your mind?"

"Besides that I wish I was there with you?"

"Besides that."

Nick took a deep breath and sighed. "I guess...it does hurt me more then I let on...that you don't want me there with you right now. I don't mean because I need to be with you 24-7...I just mean with Kelly and Marty talking and stuff." He said softly, waiting for Justin to blow up.

Justin took a long, deep breath...not wanting to get upset. "It's not that I don't want you here, Nick...it's just...well...you don't need to be here, right now. I don't wanna get you involved in things you don't have to be involved in. You have enough to deal with."

"You're just assuming I have enough to deal with. Maybe nothing else matters to me besides supporting my boyfriend while he's makes a huge fucking decision!" Nick exclaimed, getting ticked off.

Justin's eyes narrowed in response to Nick getting loud with him. "Chill out, Nick. You don't need to yell."

Nick took a deep breath to calm himself down. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to yell...it's just that you automatically think that me not being involved would save me from shit or something. But that isn't the case. Plus...did you even ask Kelly and Marty if they wanted me there or not." He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "But it doesn't really matter now everything is said and done."

"It's not their decision...it's mine, OK?"

"Justin...I can't just be your boyfriend...when you want me to be." Nick said softly and then sighed. "God, I don't even know what I'm saying so I'll shut up now before I cause everything to blow up. I don't want to be mad at you."

"It has nothing to do with you being my boyfriend when I WANT you to be. This is ridiculous, Nick. Damn."

"I know that, that's why I said to forget it." Nick said getting frustrated. "I'm sorry that I even said anything...because the last thing I want in the world is for us to argue."

"Well it's gonna happen. No relationship is perfect."

Nick smiled a little. "Yeah...I know that. I'll just put my childish feelings away and act like the grown up I'm supposed to be."

"No. Don't put anything away. I mean...you have a right to be upset that I didn't take you with me...but I have my reasons, whether you understand them or not."

"You're right...I don't understand totally...but I know this is a very important time for you. I mean you're gunna be a daddy." Nick said with a big smile on his face. "Hey...have I ever told you congratulations?"

Justin chuckled. "I don't know. Have you?"

"I don't think so...I've been too much time being a selfish prick...so I'm saying it now. Congrats, baby."

been spending too much time*

"You're not a prick, Nick."

"I was acting like one. It really hit me this afternoon when I was with the boys at the Zoo. Jonathan was sad that he didn't get to spend as much time with you as he would have liked because you had to leave. And that was when I realized how stupid I was being...when I was monopolizing your time...even if I hadn't meant to do it." Nick said softly.

"I know you didn't mean to. You were just being insecure. And I mean...I can understand that. You've stepped into a totally different world that you have no clue how to live in...and I'm sure you still can't believe all this is happening. I'm not surprised if you feel like you could wake up and it could all be gone."

"You're right...that is how I feel actually." Nick answered softly. "But I'll learn how to be the boyfriend of a famous person...just give me the chance and I will learn."

"I know you'll learn, Nick. But...you have to know that you probably won't have as many chances as you'd like until I go public...If and when that happens."

"I don't expect you to do that. I know that could screw up your career." Nick said firmly. Wanting Justin to understand that he truly didn't expect Justin do to that. "I'm happy being your dirty little secret." he giggled, to show he meant that in a funny way not that the was upset by it.

"Well...you ARE dirty."

Nick laughed. "Actually no I'm clean...I just took a shower like five minutes before you called." He joked.

"That's not the kinda dirty I meant...and you know it."

"Ohh...you mean dirty like what we did last night?" Nick asked with a smirk on his face.

Justin chuckled. "Oh, yeah...THAT was dirty."

"We'll have to do it again sometime soon." Nick giggled.

"Yeah...maybe."

"What are your plans after you get done talking to Johnny?"

"I don't know. I might go to my house and hang out for a while. Or maybe meet up with Kelly again. She has a doctor's appointment this afternoon."

'Oh yeah...a doctors appointment for the baby?"

"Yeah. Well...more so for her, actually...just to check her health, and stuff."

"That's good...and you guys are making sure she eats enough and stuff too right?" Nick asked, knowing Kelly's history.

"Ohh...and the smoking."

"Yeah...we talked about all that."

Nick smiled and giggled a little. "I still can't believe Kelly is pregnant."

"YOU can't believe it?"

"True...it wasn't ME who got her pregnant...you bad, bad boy. What in the world were thinking...I mean don't you know sex is a very naughty sinful thing." Nick said trying so hard not to laugh but it wasn't really working well.

"Yeah...sure is...even when you're careful."

"Don't bite my head off for asking this...but did the condom break or something?"

Justin took a deep breath. "Yup...and I guess that's all it took."

"Yeah...but it's not the end of the world."

"No...it's not. I mean...once the reality totally sets in, I know I'll be nothing but excited about this. Nervous...but excited."

Nick smiled and giggled a little. "I think you're going to be really cute as an expecting daddy."

Justin laughed. "Why do you say that?"

"I don't know really...just seems like something you'll be really cute with. Cuz you are really cute when you get excited."

Justin laughed again. "You think I'm cute all the time."

"True...but I'm allowed to be biased and think you're cute all the time." Nick giggled.

"OK...I guess so."

"I'm sure there are a million other little pre teen girls who think you are cute all the time too." Nick laughed.

"But of course."

"That's gota be kinda weird. I mean having fans that are so young."

"It is. But...there are older ones, too...especially now that I'm on my own. That's how I can pull off all those twenty-one-plus club shows.”

"Very true...and those were fun." Nick giggled. "I still agree with Kelly...that Rock your body dance is something else."

Justin laughed. He could feel his cheeks heating up. "Oh, please."

"Hey...it's HOT...I mean the way you move your hips and do those crazy moves...damn." Nick said in a deeper voice for effect, feeling like being silly.

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm gifted?"

"Oh you'll probably be saying it at least a hundred more times." Nick joked.

Justin laughed. "You're probably right. So...what are you gonna do tonight?"

"Crash here on the couch...watch a movie or something...rent gay porn...jerk off." Nick said as seriously as he could even though he was so close to cracking up.

Justin chuckled. "So I take it the boys aren't staying over again?"

Nick laughed. "Oh...you mean it wouldn't be good for me to do that if they were here...rats."

"Nick!"

That caused Nick to bust up laughing. "I'm not that big of an idiot of course I wouldn't do that...and they are staying in the house tonight...and do you really think I would rent porn?"

"I don't know...maybe."

"Yeah...well I wont...and I haven't jerked off since I met you...so that wont be happening either."

"Why not? It's normal."

Nick laughed. "I know that...I guess I just haven't felt like it."

"Except that one time in your sleep when I caught you."

Nick couldn't help but blush bright red when he remembered that. "Yeah...and damn was that the most embarrassing experience of my life."

Justin laughed. "It was funny now that I look back on it."

"I'm actually glad I didn't wake up while doing it to see you there...I'm not sure what would happen. I mean think of how you would feel about having an highly erotic dream about somebody and then wake up to see them staring right at you.” Nick laughed.

"I think it would scare the shit out of me."

“Yes and that almost happened. I probably would of made a total fool of myself and came or something.” Nick laughed. “That wouldn’t have been the way I wanted you to remember me cuming for the first time.”

"No...me neither. I definitely prefer the way that ACTUALLY happened," Justin said...smiling as he recalled the night in his hot tub.

“Yes now THAT was hot.” Nick said...also remembering that night.

Justin chuckled. "Sure was."

“Or...what was even hotter was the shower.” Nick giggled.

Justin laughed again...groaning softly at the same time. "Hell, yeah. I've never gotten head like that in my life," he said quietly.

Nick’s eyes went wide. “Really? I mean...I haven’t done that in years.”

"Well...you sure as hell didn't forget how."

Nick couldn’t help but smile, slightly proud of himself. “Guess it’s kinda like riding a bike...once you get back on you don’t forget how to ride.” He busted up laughing once he finished that sentence. “Okay that sounded very wrong.”

Justin laughed. "Yeah...you're good at Freudian slips, and shit."

“Is Freud the dude who thinks everything has to do with sex?” Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...sumthin like that."

“Ohh...then he’s my hero.” Nick joked. “But we both can’t forget how hot LAST night was.”

"Yeah...it was. But the shower was hotter."

“Very true...the shower was really, really hot.” Nick said as he thought about that a little too much and felt his body starting to heat up.

Justin had to laugh again at the tone in Nick's voice. "OK...I think it's time to hang up. We're about to pull up in front of the WEG building, anyway."

Nick laughed too. “Okay...I hope everything goes okay with Johnny.”

"Yeah. Me too. Call me when you go to bed?"

“Yup I will definitely do that.” Nick said with a smile on his face.

"OK. Talk to you later."

“Bye, Justin.”

"Bye," Justin said before slipping his phone into his pocket just as the driver opened the car door for him.

Nick hung up the phone and then turned it back on to call Aaron again.

The phone rang for like a minute before somebody finally picked up.

“Hello?” Came his brother’s voice…and he sounded tired.

“Hey, Bro…did I just wake you up?” Nick asked confused, wondering why in the world his brother would still be sleeping when it was like almost six o’clock in the evening.

Aaron smiled big when he heard his brother’s voice. “Wow, two phone calls in a row why do I get the special treatment?” He teased.

“You make it sound like I never call you. I make a point in calling you at least twice a week.” Nick giggled.

“Yeah…well I’m you’re brother you’re supposed to talk to me every day.” Aaron teased

Nick rolled his eyes and relaxed back on the couch. “Actually…I there is a reason why I called.

Aaron raised an eyebrow even though Nick couldn’t see it. “Oh yeah…and what might that be?”

“I’ve got something I need to talk to you about…something I need to explain.”

“You’re going to finally tell me what the hell you’re doing?” Aaron asked with a laugh. “I know…you’re in the FBI or the CIA working on a secret mission.”

Nick rolled his eyes again…now he understood why he always had a headache after talking with his brother. It was all of the eye rolling he did. “Not hardly, Aaron.”

Aaron stayed silent as he waited for Nick to tell him what was going.

“I’ve met somebody…You were right about that.” Nick started, thinking he shouldn’t just jump out and say that he was dating Justin Timberlake.

“I knew it!” Aaron exclaimed laughing. “Okay, don’t stop there…tell me about him.”

Nick took a deep breath. “Well…he’s actually famous.”

That wasn’t something Aaron had been expecting and his eyes went wide. “Famous…Famous how?”

“Really famous.” Nick answered, still not sure how to say WHO the famous person was. ‘Maybe you should have thought this through more before you called him.’ He thought to himself.

Aaron groaned in frustration. “Come on Nick…just spit it out…who is this guy?”

Nick took another deep breath. “Justin Timberlake.” He said softly as he looked up at the ceiling ready for Aaron to start screaming…or laughing…or something else along those lines.

“WHO!?” Aaron asked with wide eyes. “You’ve gota be fucking joking!”

“I’m not joking.” Nick whispered, but still loud enough for Aaron to hear him.

Aaron flopped down on his Grandparent’s couch and sighed. “You’re not fucking with me right? You’re actually dating the singer…Justin Timberlake…the guy you’ve idolized for years. The person you saw and knew you were gay…that Justin Timberlake?”

Okay so when Aaron said it like that, Nick had to admit that sounded pretty crazy and far fetched. How many people actually met the person they idolized…let alone date them? But still…it ticked him off that his brother didn’t believe him. “Jesus, Aaron. Do you know any other Justin Timberlake’s?” Nick exclaimed getting frustrated with Aaron. “Plus since when have I lied to you?”

Nick had a point there. Aaron had to admit as he brought his legs up on the couch to get more comfortable. “How in the world did this happen?”

Nick then went on to tell Aaron how the last few weeks had gone, starting with the meeting in the bar all the way to the conversation they had just had a few minutes ago.

“Whoa…so this whole time you’ve been on tour with him?” Aaron asked in awe. He couldn’t believe his brother was the boyfriend of a star.

“Yeah…pretty much except for now when I’m in Tennessee with his family.” Nick reminded him. “Plus, he’s actually in LA right now with Kelly and Marty.”

Aaron tried to remember who Kelly and Marty were and then remembered. “Oh right that’s the ex girlfriend who is having his baby right?”

Nick nodded. “Right…but Aaron you do know you can’t tell ANYBODY any of this. Cuz, if anybody was to fight out it could be hell for Justin and everybody else.”

“I’m not that much of an idiot Nick…I know how this stuff works.”

“I didn’t say you were an idiot.” Nick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “But enough about that, how are things at home? “

Aaron took a deep breath and wasn’t sure how to say what he needed to. “Dad asked about you yesterday. He wondered what you were doing now that you left the bar.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “I didn’t LEAVE the bar I was fucking fired…and he doesn’t have a right to care about what I’m doing.” He whispered as he tried to keep the tears at bay. He hated it that every time he heard his father mentioned that he turned into the little pussy boy he thought he was.

“Oh…and yeah BJ is getting married in a few months.” Aaron said to lighten the mood. “She wants you to come, Nicky.”

Closing his eyes, Nick sighed. He wanted more then anything to attend his sisters wedding but he knew for a fact his parents were going to be there. “I’ll think about, AC…I just don’t know if I can face everybody anymore.”

Aaron nodded even though Nick couldn’t see him. “Yeah…all you can do is think about it.“

Nick looked over at the clock and sighed. “I think I’m going to head into the main house and see what everybody else is doing.”

Aaron knew his brother better then that and knew he needed time to think about all he had said. “Okay…call me soon?”

“Of course. I might even call you tomorrow since I’m still going to be here all by my lonesome.”

Aaron snorted and laughed. “Okay, Nick. Talk to you later.” With that Aaron hung up the phone and looked up to see his grandfather looking at him. With a small smile he simply said. “He’s doing fine.”

Nick ended the call and put his cell phone on the coffee table and relaxed against the couch to take a few minutes to let in what Aaron had said sink in.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Kelly quickly walked through the lobby, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw that Marty was still waiting for the elevator. "Hey...wait for me," she said as she approached him.

Marty once again jumped out of his skin when Kelly approached him but sighed when he saw who it was. “You’re supposed to be eating lunch with Justin.”

"I know...but I didn't want to leave you alone. He's cool with it. He's gonna have our food sent up for us."

“That’s nice of him.” Marty said softly as he walked onto the elevator.

Kelly nodded as she followed Marty onto the elevator...then turned to look at him. "What's going on with you?" she asked quietly...concern evident in her voice.

“Have you ever seen a movie or something where somebody was in rehab and going off whatever drug they were on?” Marty asked as he leaned against the back wall of the elevator.

Kelly nodded...looking up at Marty from a slight distance...not wanting to crowd him.

“That’s what’s happening to me...minus the rehab part.” Marty said as the elevator dinged and the doors opened. Taking a deep breath he pushed his shaky body off of the wall and walked out of the elevator.

Kelly sighed quietly...folding her arms over her chest as she followed Marty down the hall toward her room.

Marty stopped in the hallway and turned to Kelly, holding his hand out. “Come here...I won’t bite...I don’t think.” He said with a small smile.

Kelly gave Marty a small smile as she reached a hand out to him.

Marty took Kelly’s hand in his shaky one and walked the rest of the way down the hall.

"What can I do for you?" Kelly asked...looking down at the floor as they walked.

“You can’t really do anything...I just have to let is pass.” Marty said sadly, hating that idea but he knew it was true.

"Well...I can make sure you don't do anything stupid. I mean...if you'll let me look after you."

Marty smiled big and nodded. “You can if you would like to...I could use the company.”

"I don't mean just right now. I mean...all the time...till you're over this again."

“I know...and thank you.” Marty whispered as he took the card key out of his pocket and attempted to try and swipe it with his hands shaking like crazy. Getting frustrated at himself he handed it to Kelly. “Can you do it...please.”

Kelly just nodded as she took the card from Marty, then opened the door and went in.

Marty walked into the room and sighed. “I’m going to go to the bathroom.” He said turning to go to the bathroom.”

"OK..." Kelly said...then walked to the other side of the room to put the key and her purse on the table. Taking a deep breath, she opened the sliding glass door, and stepped out onto the small balcony...from which she could see the ocean on the horizon.

Marty spent a few minutes in the bathroom and then walked out into the room. Seeing Kelly on the balcony he walked over and joined her. “You have a nice view.”

Kelly nodded...not looking away from the view.

“I’m sorry I’m such a mess, Kel.” Marty whispered, feeling awful that he was like this when she needed him the most.

"Don't be sorry. I mean...it's not like you can help it."

“I shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

"You probably weren't thinking when you took those pills from Eddie. You weren't planning on getting addicted."

Marty sighed and nodded. “I know...but I still feel terrible...I mean this is the worst possible time for me to being struggling with drug addictions.”

"It happened before we found out I was pregnant."

“I know but it’s still sucky timing.” Marty giggled a little and groaned when his stomach flip flopped.

"Stop thinking about that. I'm fine. You don't have anything to feel guilty about."

Marty didn’t respond because he was running out of the room and into the bathroom to lose the buffalo wings and soup he had eaten a little bit ago.

Kelly walked back into the room, closed the sliding glass door, and made her way to the bathroom. "Are you OK?" she asked through the bathroom door.

Once again Marty couldn’t respond as he heaved into the toilet again. Which was a pretty good answer to if he was okay or not.

"Can I come in?"

“Yeah.” Marty called before heaving again.

Kelly opened the door and walked into the bathroom. She immediately went to the sink and wet a washcloth with cool water. She then went to kneel behind Marty, and pressed the cool cloth on the back of his neck.

Marty groaned as he finally finished heaving and rested his head down on the toilet seat. “This sucks.”

"Sit up. Get your head off the toilet."

“I think I’m stuck.” Marty chuckled a little but sat up and rested his head against the wall instead.

"Do you feel better?"

“My head is pounding and I feel like there is something eating me from the inside out...but other then that I feel just peachy.” Marty mumbled into his arm and started to hiccup. “Oh...and that helps a WHOLE lot.”

"What does?"

“I was being sarcastic.” Marty grumbled as he hiccupped again.

Kelly sighed quietly. "Why don't you get up and brush your teeth? I'm sure there's a toothbrush in that toiletry basket on the counter.”

Marty took a deep breath and did what Kelly said. He slowly got up on his feet and walked to the sink. She had been right there was a toothbrush and toothpaste and he quickly started to brush his teeth to get the nasty taste out of his mouth.

As Marty brushed his teeth, Kelly left the bathroom, and went to take a seat in one of the chairs at the table. As she relaxed in the chair, she crossed her legs and closed her eyes...a hand going to rest on her stomach.

Marty finished up in the bathroom and walked out into the bedroom. Seeing Kelly with her hand on her stomach he got worried. “Are YOU feeling okay?”

Kelly nodded as she opened her eyes and looked at Marty. "I'm fine. I just really want a cigarette right now," she admitted.

Ignoring how he felt, Marty walked over to Kelly and stood behind her chair, automatically going to rub her shoulders. “Just try and relax.”

"I'll be fine. I'm just overwhelmed. Too much to deal with."

Marty couldn’t help but feel guilty about that. “Why don’t you come snuggle with me and we’ll talk about happy stuff.” He suggested.

Kelly shook her head. "No. You go lay down. I'd rather just sit here, right now," she said...her hand slowly rubbing her stomach.

Marty wanted to protest and stay with her but he was feeling light headed so he knew he needed to lay down. “Okay.” He said before walking to the bed and lying down on top of the covers.

Kelly watched Marty lay down and sighed quietly. With a deep breath, she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her feet on the edge of the chair.

“Talk to me Kel.” Marty said from the bed when he heard her sigh.

"About what?" Kelly asked...looking over at Marty as she hugged her legs to her chest.

“Whatever is on your mind.”

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know."

“Do you think the conversation with Justin went well today?” Marty asked, wanting to get her to talk and open up about everything.

"Yeah. I do. I think he's handling it well."

“I think he is too.” Marty agreed.

"What about you?"

“I think it went well. I mean I will be honest at first hearing Justin say that he was the only babies father kinda hit me weird but then I thought about it and the more i realized that was true...I’m not the babies father.”

"I mean what about you...like...how do you feel about everything?"

“I think if we leave things the way we have said right now then everybody should be happy.” Marty answered.

"I hope so," Kelly said with another sigh.

“I know I’m happy.”

"Marty. Right now...you're not happy."

“I am about the baby stuff...not the shit going on with my body.” Marty clarified.

"Exactly. So...you're not happy. That means I'm not happy."

Marty sighed and sat up on the bed to look at Kelly. “I want you to be happy though...I’m going to be okay.”

"But you're not right now."

“I know I’m not.” Marty groaned. “But I hate to bring you down with me.”

Kelly shrugged...still looking at Marty from her seat. "We're a team, now."

Marty smiled bit at that despite how he was feeling. “I love the sound of that.”

"Me too. But for our team to work, we're both gonna have to be strong."

“You’re right.” Marty agreed

"Seeing you like this makes me sick."

Marty looked down at his lap and sighed. “It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose, Kel.”

"Of course you're not. I KNOW that. I just wish it wasn't happening," she said...not intending to sound selfish.

Marty took a deep breath and looked back up. “You and me both.”

"I mean...I guess I just don't understand what's going on with you. We were having a great time together before we went downstairs...and we were even having a good talk with Justin. Then...it's like you turned into a different person."

“I don’t understand it anymore then you do, Kel...I honestly wish I knew what was going on. I was enjoying myself too and then I like took one look at my coffee cup...saw it was empty and it was like my body panicked.” Marty said trying to explain the best that he could.

"OK...so...maybe one way to avoid that would be to not drink coffee. Then there would be no empty cup to panic over."

Marty thought about that for a second and smiled a little. “That’s a good idea.”

"I shouldn't be drinking coffee either...I don't think. So...we can not drink it together."

Marty smiled more. “Okay...that sounds like a good idea. Which brings me to the idea that I’m not going to drink or smoke either...since you can’t.”

"You don't have to give that stuff up because of me. That's crazy. I mean...what are you gonna do when we get back on tour and the guys want you to go out with them all the time?"

“Say I don’t feel like it and stay back with you?”

Kelly shook her head. "No way. You're not giving up your social life for me."

Marty thought of that for a second and agreed she had a point. “Okay...but I will give up smoking because you can’t be around it...plus I’ve never really been that big on it anyway.”

"OK...you can't smoke when you're around me...but you CAN when you're NOT with me."

Marty shrugged. “Maybe I don’t want to...not like it’s good for me.” He giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "That's true."

“I like this...I have a reason to quit all my nasty habits.” Marty said with a smile.

"Yup...I already got you to give up sleeping around," Kelly teased with a chuckle.

Marty smiled and nodded. “Yup...cuz you’re all I need.”

"Even though you're not gettin any."

“Eh...minor detail.” Marty giggled, joking.

"Have you slept with any of the other girls?" Kelly asked suddenly. It was something she had been curious about for a while...even before they started dating.

“Since we’ve been dating?” Marty asked confused.

"I know you haven't since we've been dating. I mean...at all...on tour, or whatever."

“I slept with Mel umm...like twice I think...but not since like the very beginning.” Marty admitted.

Kelly didn't know why, but her heart sank. "You slept with Mel?" she asked with semi-wide eyes.

Marty bit his lower lip and nodded his head. “A long time ago...yeah.”

Kelly shook her head slowly. "I had no idea." And she didn't. She wondered why neither of them...two of her closest friends...had told her.

Marty knew the look on Kelly’s face and sighed. “Kel...honey...it didn’t mean anything I think we were both waisted actually.” He then tried to remember one of the times. “Do you remember about a week in the Justified and Stripped tour when we all went to that really crazy club with the go-go dancers?”

Kelly just nodded.

“I think you were dancing with Eddie a lot that night...and I was dancing with Mel. We had both had WAY too much to drink since the club had given us free drinks...and well...yeah.”

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah...I definitely remember that night." She'd had a really good time with Eddie that night.

“I think you even stopped to talk to me...pretty wasted yourself as Mel and I were trying to get away.” Marty giggled, remembering how Kelly had stopped him to tell him she really liked his shirt.

"Yeah. You know...I should have known...cuz Melanie never came back to the room that night."

“That’s because she fell asleep on the bathroom floor puking her guts out.” Marty made a face.

Kelly laughed. "That sucks," she said...then rearranged her position to cross her legs again. "Did you notice that Eddie didn't come back to YOUR room that night?"

Marty raised an eyebrow and thought about that. “Actually now that you mention it...he didn’t.”

Kelly shook her head. "He didn't."

“He was with you?”

Kelly nodded. "Mmm hmm."

“Is that all you’re going to say?” Marty asked with a giggle.

Kelly shrugged. "What else IS there to say?"

Marty thought for a second. “You guys...?” He didn’t want to ask anything...he didn’t want to make Kelly feel bad...or ask any wrong questions but he was seriously confused...because if that wa the case...he never knew.

"Well...you KNOW I didn't sleep with anyone until Justin...and that was WAY after that night."

Marty let out a sigh of relief. “I know...sorry I had to even ask...I was just confused.”

Kelly just laughed and shook her head.

“What ya laughing at?” Marty asked with a smile on his face.

"I don't know, really. Damn...I really can't believe it, though...you and Mel."

“Yes and then she threw up on me...it was a perfect night.” Marty said rolling his eyes. “Never take Melanie to an all you can drink place...it’s NOT a good thing.”

"What about the other time?"

“Her birthday last year. We all went out dancing again...and pretty much the same thing happened.”

Kelly sighed quietly. "Wow.”

“You aren’t mad or anything...right?”

"I wouldn't call it mad. Just...shocked. Jealous, maybe."

Marty got up off the bed and walked over to Kelly. Kneeling in front of her he placed his hands on her thighs. “No matter how many women I’ve slept with over the years...You have got something they will NEVER have.”

Kelly smiled. "I know...your love."

“Exactly.” Marty smiled leaning down to kiss her knee.

"I try not to think about all the girls...cuz I really believe they didn't mean anything. But Mel...I don't know. That one hits kinda close to home."

“Because you know her...I know. If I would of been more with it I know I wouldn’t have done it. Because I don’t like to mess around with people I see every day, ya know. Especially people I work with.”

Kelly raised her eyebrows and laughed. "HELLO...? What am *I*?"

“Well...I ain’t exactly FOOLING around with you.” Marty laughed, smiling up at Kelly.

"Oh...that's right. We already established you ain't gettin any."

“Yes poor, poor me.” Marty said pouting playfully.

"So...while we're on the subject...is there anyone else you should tell me about?"

Marty laughed and shook his head. “Nobody else matters...nobody else is anybody we are in direct contact with.”

Kelly nodded. "Well...I guess there's a little something I should put out there."

Marty raised an eyebrow again. “Okay.”

"I sorta...well...I blew Eddie that night."

Marty’s stomach twisted in jealousy a little bit but...he took it in stride. “I had a feeling...SOMETHING happened if he stayed in your room.” He giggled a little.

Kelly laughed. "Yeah...but that's it. And we slept."

“I don’t know why...but you don’t really seem like the giving head type.” Marty stated, that thought just coming to his head.

Kelly shook her head. "I'm not...that's the thing. That was my first time."

Marty giggled a little. “Well...Eddie should feel privileged then.”

Kelly shrugged with a chuckle. "Well...I don’t know how good it was."

“The one thing about giving head...if you were sucking...it was good.” Marty laughed, for some reason not feeling weird about talking about this with Kelly at all.

Kelly made a face as she slouched down in her chair a bit. "Now see...I don't believe that...cuz everyone knows there's good head and bad head."

“Yeah...it is one of those things that take practice...not like I know anything about giving head.” Marty laughed blushing a little.

Kelly giggled. "Maybe not...but you sure as hell know a lot about its counterpart."

Marty bit his lower lip and nodded his head. “Umm...yeah that’s for sure.”

"Well you do. My multiple orgasms yesterday morning were living proof."

Marty couldn’t help but smile big. “I am pretty proud of myself for that.” He laughed.

"Practice makes perfect, I guess."

“Yeah...but I wish it was practicing on the same person.” Marty said softly. He had really been thinking over his life the last few days...and the idea of sleeping around was starting to really disgust him.

Kelly leaned forward in her seat and took Marty's face in her hands. "Sweetie...that was then...OK?"

“I know...but it still kind of makes me feel dirty.” Marty whispered, looking into Kelly’s eyes.

"Marty...don't do this to yourself."

Marty took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay...past is past...doesn’t matter.”

"Not in my eyes, it doesn't. I mean...yes...it happened...and you've learned from it and moved on. But...it doesn't have anything to do with you and me."

Marty smiled and nodded. “You’re right....it doesn’t. We can both start over.”

"I think we already have."

“Yeah...you’re right.” Marty whispered as he stood up and leaned over Kelly to place a soft kiss on her lips.

When the kiss ended, Kelly pulled back and looked Marty in the eye. "I love you."

Marty smiled. “I love you too...so much.”

"Does that offer of cuddling and talking still stand...or did I blow it?"

“No of course not...the talking and cuddling option is always open.” Marty said softly as he took Kelly’s hand and led her to the bed.

There was a knock on the door just as Kelly got out of her chair. "Oh. That must be our lunch."

“Oh yeah...forgot about lunch.” Marty laughed

Kelly let go of Marty's hand to go and answer the door. A moment later, she brought the takeout bag to the table and set it down. "Remind me to thank Justin later. He paid."

“Shit...I totally forgot about that too.” Marty grumbled.

Kelly laughed. "No big deal." She checked her watch, then looked at Marty. We have about a half hour before I have to leave for the doctor. Wanna lay down?"

“Don’t we have to eat?” Marty questions, pointing at the bag in Kelly’s hand.

“Don’t we have to eat?” Marty questions, pointing at the bag on the table.

Kelly shrugged. "We can eat later. I'm sure you're not hungry."

“I may not be...but you need to eat yours.”

"I'm fine for now. I ate soup...and wings and cheese sticks."

“It’s gunna get cold.” Marty said making a face. “Cold cheeseburgers ain’t yummy.”

Kelly shrugged. "I'll nuke it. Come on...let's lay down. Please...?"

“Well...how am I gunna say no to that.” Marty laughed as he went to lie down on the bed.

Kelly giggled as she kicked off her shoes...then climbed onto the bed.

Marty smiled as Kelly climbed onto the bed. “I really wish we had more time and I was physically up to making love to you.” He whispered...feeling like he would be honest. “I’ve wanted to do that since yesterday morning.”

Kelly smiled as she curled up to Marty's side. "You've wanted to do that since way before yesterday morning," she said quietly.

“Well...yeah but I mean we were going to yesterday morning.” Marty reminded her. “But then better things came up.

"I'm sorry," Kelly whispered...placing a soft kiss on Marty's neck.

“For what?”

"That was the second time in two days I told you I was gonna sleep with you, then didn't."

“Both for really good reasons.” Marty pointed out. “I’m not angry at you, honey.”

"OK," Kelly said...kissing Marty's neck again.

Marty giggled a little as shivers went through his body at the tickly feeling of Kelly’s lips on his neck. “That tickles.”

Kelly giggled. "Sorry," she said...then leaned up to kiss Marty's lips lightly.

“That doesn’t...tickle.” Marty mumbled against Kelly’s lips as he moved his right hand up to hold the back of Kelly’s head as he deepened the kiss a little.

After kissing Marty back for a bit, Kelly pulled back and looked down at him. "I know you're excited to sleep in your own bed at home. But...I was wondering if you'll stay with me...just tonight."

Marty smiled and nodded. “Of course...maybe if I’m a good boy...we’ll do more then just sleep?” He asked putting on his best innocent face.

Kelly just laughed and kissed Marty's lips again. "When I leave for the doctor, I want you to go home to your place...check things out...maybe shower and get a nap, if you want. Then...I'll call you to come over later. How's that sound?"

Marty pretended to think about that for a second before he smiled. “I think that sounds like a very good idea.”

Kelly giggled against Marty's neck. "I thought you'd agree."

Just then Marty thought of something and pouted a little. “You probably wont feel like doing anything though...after your appointment.”

"Are you still thinking about sex?"

Marty blushed bright red and bit his lower lip. “Um...no?”

Kelly laughed softly. "Don't lie to me, James."

“Yikes...using the real name...I’m in trouble...so yeah...I was...sorry...forgive me?” Marty giggled a little and put the innocent face back on.

"Eeh...maybe."

“Pweeze?”

"Oh alright," Kelly said...rolling her eyes dramatically.

“Yay!” Marty cheered like a little kid. “You forgive me.”

"THIS time."

“Ut oh...we’ve got problems then buddy.” Marty said looking down at his crotch. “She’s only going to forgive us this time for wanting to have sex...what should we do?” He said goofing around...the problems of earlier gone for the time being.

Kelly looked at Marty with wide eyes. "Do you frequently talk to your penis?"

“OH yeah I do it all the time.” Marty said rolling his eyes and then busted up laughing. “No...of course not.”

"Oh. Only on special occasions...?"

“Yes like Christmas and the fourth of July.”

Marty joked trying to keep a serious look on his face.

Kelly laughed. "Shut up, Jackass."

“Ouch...” Marty said with wide eyes and held his hands to his heart. “That really hurt...you calling me names like that.”

"Oh...my bad. I MEANT to call you super-studly sex pot."

Marty raised an eyebrow and busted up laughing. “Super-Studly sex pot?”

Kelly laughed again and buried her face in Marty's chest.

“You’re too cute baby girl.” Marty giggled as he kissed the top of Kelly’s head.

Kelly took a deep breath...inhaling Marty's familiar, comforting scent before turning her head and resting her cheek down on his chest. "I'm so luck to have you, I wish we'd figured this out sooner."

“I guess I should of gotten my head out of the sand and done something about my feelings sooner. I just didn’t know what to do because I knew you and Justin were still kinda, sorta together.” Marty rambled.

"OK...so it's Justin's fault."

Marty giggled. “Okay we can blame him...I’m totally cool with that.” He joked.

Kelly laughed a bit...then groaned. "It's getting late," she said...rolling away from Marty and grabbing for the phone. "I'll call to get us some cabs."

“Yeah...you don’t want to be late.” Marty said with a small yawn.

Kelly hung up the phone, then got up to put her shoes on. "We have to be downstairs in five minutes."

Marty sat up and stretched his arms over his head. “Yeah...I can move that fast...really I can.”

Kelly laughed as she went into the bathroom for a quick hair and make up check. "Let's go, lazy."

*****@*****

Around Eleven O'clock and like three movies later, Nick reached for his cell phone off of the coffee table and dialed Justin's cell number.

Justin opened his eyes and lifted his head up from where it was resting on the edge of the tub when he heard his phone ringing. He'd normally never have his phone with him when he was trying to relax, but he was expecting a call from Nick. After removing his hand from the soapy water and drying it off on a towel, he reached for his phone, and smiled when he saw Nick's number on the caller ID. He flipped the phone open and put it up to his ear. "Hey."

Nick smiled when he heard Justin's voice. "Hey...what’s up?" He asked and then yawned. Staring at movies all evening had make him kinda sleepy.

"Not too much. How about you? What have you been up to?"

"I called my brother...and then I've been watching movies since we had talked." Nick laughed as he stretched his long legs out on the couch.

"Oh yeah? How'd it go with Aaron? Did you tell him everything?"

Nick laughed again. "Yeah I did...he didn't believe me at first."

Justin chuckled. "I'm not surprised."

"But after a while he did...and he's happy for me...for us." Nick said with a content sigh as he scratched his lower stomach above his low riding sweats.

"Good. I'm glad."

"How did it go with Johnny?"

"Pretty good, actually," Justin said as he lifted a foot out of the water and rested it on the edge of the tub. "He was cool with the whole Kelly thing. He's gonna think about if and when and how we should come out with it. He actually told me he thinks I'll make a good dad."

Nick smiled a little at that. "I agree with him...and that's cool...I'm glad he didn't totally blow up at you."

Justin laughed. "Yeah...me too."

"Did you um...tell him about...well you know...Us?" Nick asked softly, not sure why but he was nervous about that aspect of it.

Justin smiled at the nervousness in Nick's voice as he closed his eyes again. "Yes...I did."

Nick bit his lower lip. "And...?"

"And...well...he was surprised, but he wasn't. I mean...being a professional manager, he deals with this shit from his clients all the time." Justin paused to chuckle. "He wasn't expecting it to come from ME, though."

Nick chuckled along with Justin. "Yeah I can understand that...I mean hello you're like God's gift to women...or so they think."

"Little does the world know that I'm God's gift to men AND women."

"Yes...but that you're already taken." Nick giggled. "By who I have NO idea."

Mista13181JT says:

"Some jerk that got me drunk and picked me up in a bar."

Nick giggled even more. "That sounds terrible and I so didn't get you drunk OR pick you up."

Justin laughed. "Well I had to come up with a story."

"Well...I did do my stalkerish thing and show up at a club in the snow without tickets." Nick laughed.

"True. And did you even have money to BUY the tickets?"

"Yeah...I've actually had 300 dollars...that my grandparents gave me...I just was waiting to do something special with it." Nick admitted.

"But...I thought you said you didn't even have money to get home that night."

"I did technically...but I wanted to save that money for something really special...and I guess a bus ride home wasn't special enough." Nick tried to explain.

"Oh...I see."

"But hey...it must of been fait that I didn't use that money that night...cuz then I wouldn't of gotten sick...you wouldn't have invited me...and well the rest is history." Nick said with a big smile on his face.

Justin laughed contentedly. "That's for sure."

"So...what are you doing right now?" Nick asked as he stretched one of his arms over his head.

Justin laughed. "Taking a bubble bath."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Right this second?"

Justin laughed again. "Yeah...why? I brought my phone with me so I wouldn't miss your call."

Hearing Justin say that made Nick's heart sore. "Really? That's sweet of you...But I didn't mean to interrupt your relaxing time."

"No...it's OK. Normally I'd NEVR take my phone with me to the bath...but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss your call."

"Oh...I feel very special then. I get to talk to Justin Timberlake while he's in the bathtub." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...and if you were here...maybe you could be in the bathtub WITH Justin Timberlake."

"Oh gee...you just HAD to put that picture in my head...thanks so much." Nick teased.

"Hey...I said MAYBE. No matter how much I like you, I still value my relaxing alone time."

Nick laughed. "We both do, J. No matter how clingy I might be at times...I still do like to be alone."

"Yeah...I know. Are you enjoying it?"

"It's kinda nice I watched some really cheesy movies though." Nick giggled.

"That's always fun. So...I take it you found my collection, then?"

"Well...first off I watched a movie on a movie channel then I did."

"OK. Good. Is there anything you need that you can't find?"

Nick thought for a second. "Nope...I've found everything I need so far."

"OK," Justin said...then took a deep, relaxing breath. "I miss you," he said quietly.

Nick rubbed his bare stomach and sighed. "I know I miss you too. But I will see you soon." He said trying to be optimistic for once.

Justin smiled. "Whether you like it or not."

"You know we'll have issues when *I* don't want to see you." Nick joked.

Justin laughed at that. "Very true."

"So...how's your bath?" Nick asked with a smirk on his face the he knew Justin couldn't see.

"It's perfect. Just what I needed after a stressful day."

"I could think of a lot better ways to relax you if you were here." Nick said, making sure to make his voice deeper.

"You mean...like...a massage?"

"Massages are good."

"Yes they are."

"There are better ways to relax...and relieve tension though too." Nick giggled.

"Nick Carter...are you being perverted again?"

"Umm no of course not." Nick laughed. "Okay I am...but when am I not?"

Justin laughed. "Exactly."

"Hey I can't help it I've got a lot of built up sexual tension that is just screaming to get out. I mean remember it was SIX years before a week ago."

Justin laughed. "Not even a week ago. The first time I got you off was...like...three nights ago."

Nick bit his lower lip. "But there was Kelly...before that."

Justin took a deep breath. "Oh...right. I forgot about that," he said quietly. He really HAD forgotten that Nick had slept with Kelly a few times.

"Which is good...that is where it should be in the back of our minds because we've all started new relationships. I don't want us to worry about that anymore." Nick said softly.

"Sure. Except for the fact that I have a baby coming out of one of those past relationships."

"Better you then me." Nick pointed out. "Think how crazy THAT would be."

"Why would that be so crazy?”

"If Kelly was pregnant with MY baby. I mean because of the reasons we were doing it. It wasn't done for the right reasons."

"Yeah...I guess that's true."

"Plus...you will make a much better father then I would."

"I don't believe that. You're great with kids, Nick."

"Did I tell you that I almost got attacked by a vulture today?" Nick laughed, just remembering that.

Justin managed a laugh through his yawn. "No. I'm glad you survived."

"Yeah your brothers and I watched this Birds of Prey show at the Zoo...it was really cool...except for the fact that it wanted my hot dog."

Justin laughed a little harder. "Oh, man...I can SO picture that."

Nick pouted. "You want me to get attacked by big birds...aren't you nice." He joked.

Justin's laughter settled. "I didn't say that."

"Oh yeah and we got to see a very turned on elephant...that was kinda sick." Nick said making a face.

"Gross."

"Yes...and don't ever let a seven and ten year old kid see that...they go crazy." Nick laughed. "Steven and Jon just HAD to comment on it."

"What are you teaching my poor baby brothers?"

"Hey I didn't say ANYTHING. Jon just wanted to see the elephants so I took them." Nick said in his defense but was giggling the whole time.

"That's just wrong."

"You didn't have to see it." Nick laughed and sighed. "But all in all it was a good day."

Justin had to smile. "I'm glad you had fun. Thank you so much for spending time with them."

"You don't need to thank me." Nick said softly. "Even though it would of been more fun with you there too."

"No it wouldn't have. Cuz me there means three bodyguards there."

Nick thought about that for a second. "Good point...but I'm sure even big scary bodyguards like the Zoo too." He giggled.

"Yeah...they do. Been there, done that."

"Do you have to have bodyguards with you when you're in LA?"

"Yeah. Definitely. Especially here."

"But you see pictures of famous people walking around all the time with out bodyguards." Nick pointed out.

"There's always there. They just lurk."

Nick laughed. "That sounds scary."

Justin chuckled. "You get used to it."

"I've gotten over the bodyguard thing already." Nick stated. "It just sounds funny...lurking...now I'm going to like see a famous person and automatically start looking around for their bodyguard."

"Yeah...exactly."

"So...if Johnny knows...are you going to tell the rest of the tour people...about us?" Nick asked softly.

"Yeah...probably. Maybe when we get back out on the road." Justin sighed quietly and sank deeper into the tub. "I'm gonna have to, I think...because people are gonna wanna know why me and Kelly aren't getting back together."

"Well...her being with Marty...loving Marty is a good enough reason." Nick pointed out. "Cuz...I mean I don't want you to feel like you have to tell them."

"I know. I guess I'll have to think about it."

Nick smiled. "That sounds like a plan. I'll just be your very good friend Nicky."

Justin laughed. "Who sucks me off behind closed doors."

"Oh...who said anything about suckin you off?" Nick asked with a teasing tone to his voice.

"You didn't have to SAY it. You DID it."

Nick giggled. "Yes...and It was a VERY nice thing to do...loved it."

"I could tell," Justin said...yawning again.

"Sound's like you have jet lag if you're yawnin at 8:30." Nick giggled.

"Yeah...I'm exhausted."

"Then go to sleep."

"Yeah. I should get out of this tub before I fall asleep and drown."

"Or turn all wrinkly." Nick giggled.

"I'm already past that point," Justin said…looking at his fingers and toes.

Nick laughed. "It only takes me like 5 minutes to get wrinkly...it's as annoying as hell. I'm surpirsed i don't get wrinkly washing my hands."

Justin chuckled. "You're crazy."

"No I just have wacky skin." Nick laughed and then sighed. "I wish I could kiss you...or see you...or something."

"Soon enough. I'll be back either tomorrow night or the next morning."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Really...you'll be home that soon?"

"Yeah...I think so...as long as I get everything settled out here."

"Wait...didn't you say something about going skiing...when you come back?" Nick asked, trying to remember what Justin had said.

"Yeah...I'm supposed to go to Vail for a few days with my parents over New Years."

"That sounds cool...you'll have fun with that." Nick said trying to keep his voice normal even though he was wondering if that meant if he got to come too.

"We'll see. But anyway...I'm gonna let you go. I need to end this bath ahd get to bed."

"Yeah I'm tired too. Talk to you tomorrow?" Nick asked through a yawn of his own.

"Of course. I'll call you when I have a chance."

"Okay cool...I'm not sure what I'm doing but I'll charge my phone tonight and make sure to have it with me and on."

"OK. Sleep tight."

Nick smiled. "Yes, sleep tight."

"Night, Nick."

"Night, baby." Nick said back, liking the nickname but he wasn't sure what Justin thought of it.

Justin smiled...almost wishing Nick could see it through the phone. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Justin sighed quietly as he hung up his phone, then eased his tired body out of the tub.

Nick walked to plug his phone into the charger and then worked on getting the couch pulled out to sleep on. Ready to fall and pass out.

Once Justin was dried off and had his towel wrapped around his waist, he thought of something he wanted to tell Nick. So he flipped his phone back open and dialed his boyfriend's number.

Nick had just stripped out of his sweats to sleep in his boxers when he hears the phone ringing. Confused he walked to it and looked down seeing it was Justin again. Getting a little worried he answered it. "Everything okay J?"

Justin smiled at Nick's concern. "Yeah...I'm fine. Sorry to bother you, but I forgot to tell you something before."

Nick let out a slight sigh of relief when Justin said he was fine. "Okay...and it's okay."

"I just wanted to tell you that...if you want...you can sleep in my bed. I mean...if you think you'll be more comfortable."

The idea of sleeping in Justin's bed did sound nice. "The pull out is comfortable." He said but still had a huge smile on his face. "But...okay."

"Well...whatever. It's up to you."

"Well...being in your bed...that smells like you...does sound really nice." Nick giggled. "Can I barrow your clothes and snuggle in them too." He said in a joking fashion but in a way that if Justin didn't think it was a bad idea that it wouldn’t be a joke.

Justin laughed. "You can do whatever you want."

"I promise not to get it dirty." Nick giggled.

"OK. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Justin."

"G'night."

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After her appointment, Kelly took a cab to the mall to do a little shopping, then walked back to her hotel from there. When she got back to her room, she called Marty's cell phone, and didn't get an answer. Figuring that he was napping, she left him a message to come to the hotel at eight o'clock. After she'd set the candles she'd bought out on the table and dressers...Vanilla scented, Marty's favorite scent...she went into the bathroom to take a long, hot shower.

Marty had woken up and got Kelly's message around seven fifteen so he quickly showered and got dressed to make sure he got back to the hotel by eight o’clock. Almost like clock work Marty was knocking on Kelly's door, two minutes before eight o’clock.

Kelly took a quick glance at the door as she finished lighting the candles. "Coming," she called. When that was done, she put on the romantic R&B CD in the stereo, then stopped in front of the mirror to give herself a quick once-over. Her hair was smooth and straight, and she wore no makeup expect for a thin layer of her vanilla frosting lip gloss...and she wore only a short, spaghetti-strapped black lace nighty...that had a plunging neckline, and was skin tight...underneath an untied, open black satin robe. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the door, and took a look through the peep hole to make sure it was Marty. She pulled open the door and smiled at him. "Hi."

Marty was about to say high back but his voice got caught in his throat when he saw Kelly standing there looking so beautiful. Swallowing hard he cleared his throat. "H...hi." He had totally not been expecting that what so ever...not that he wasn't pleasantly surprised.

Kelly stepped out of the way. "Come in."

Marty walked into the room and looked around in amazement. "Whoa...what's all this for?" He asked turning to look at Kelly with a smile on his face to show her he appreciated what she had done.

Kelly shrugged. "You."

"Well...thank you." Marty whispered, still looking around the room in awe. There were candles everywhere and romantic music playing.

Kelly chuckled softly, then walked over to Marty. "Dance with me?"

"Of course." Marty giggled back as placed his hands on Kelly's hips and waited until she wrapped her arms around his neck and then started to move slowly to the music.

Kelly looked up into Marty's eyes for a moment before she moved closer to him, and rested her cheek against his chest...closing her eyes.

Marty moved his hands from her hips to rest on her lower back as he held her close. "I love you." He whispered into her hair as he placed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

"I love you, too," Kelly replied...sliding her arms down to where she could reach better to hold onto Marty's biceps.

After dancing for a few minutes, Marty pulled back a little so he could lean down place a soft, gentle kiss to Kelly's lips.

Kelly smiled against Marty's lips, then pulled back to look up at him once the kiss had ended.

"You remembered I liked vanilla." Marty giggled as he sniffed the air.

Kelly smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I did."

"I like this little...thing too." Marty said as he looked down at Kelly's nighty and matching robe.

Kelly giggled softly...blushing a bit. "Thanks. I figured I'd better make the most of my body, now."

"You will still be the most beautiful woman in the world...even when you don't have the same figure. You'll be gaining weight for a good thing, Kel." Marty whispered, knowing how much Kelly hated the idea of being any larger then she was.

Kelly nodded. "I know. I'm fine with it. I actually get mad at myself for even having thoughts like that. Because...I mean...I'm not vain, or anything. I just have it in my head that...being a dancer, and all..." Her voice trailed off with a quiet sigh. She really DID hate feeling that way.

Marty leaned down and kissed the top of Kelly's head again. "I know that honey...I understand...you don't have to explain to me."

Kelly smiled as she buried her face in Marty's mid-chest, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"So...what's with the fancy jammies and the candles." Marty asked with a smirk on his face, teasing Kelly.

Kelly laughed softly. "I was just trying to do something nice for you...and romantic."

Marty smiled. "Well...you did a very good job...it is special and very romantic."

"I'm glad you like it," Kelly said. She kissed Marty's chin, then pulled away from him to go over the table, where she took the bottle of sparkling cider out of the ice bucket, and poured two glasses.

"Trying to get drunk, now?" Marty giggled, knowing that it was sparkling cider but felt like being a tease.

Kelly laughed softly as she handed one of the glasses to Marty, and picked up the other for herself. "Damn...you figured it out. I'm trying to get you drunk so I can have my way with you."

Marty laughed. "Yes...I knew that you only wanted me for my body."

"That's right. Your beautiful, sculpted, toned, perfect body," Kelly said as she stepped in front of Marty, and let her free hand slip under the front of his t-shirt to touch the warm skin of his bare stomach.

Marty snorted and laughed. "I'm far from perfect...but okay whatever you say." He smirked.

"I say...make a toast," Kelly said...looking at her glass.

Marty thought about what to say. "Hmm...okay." He held up his glass a little and smiled at Kelly. "To a new future for us...and new little lives." He said using his other hand to rub Kelly's stomach.

Kelly smiled brightly. "I'll toast to that," she said...lightly tapping her glass against Marty's.

Once Marty tapped his glass to Kelly's he put it to his lips and took a small sip before setting it down on the dresser that was right next to him. "This is very special Kel...thank you for doing this."

"No trouble at all," Kelly said...turning to set her own glass on the table behind her. "I wanted to do something nice for you."

"Just being with me every day is nice enough." Marty whispered, looking into Kelly's eyes.

Kelly smiled up into Marty's eyes. "I love you so much," she whispered....her eyes glassing over with tears. "I just wish I figured it out sooner."

"Well...we figured it out soon enough...and we have a lot of time to make up for that lost time." Marty whispered again.

Kelly nodded. "I know."

"I really do like this thing." Marty giggled as his fingers played with Kelly's robe.

Kelly laughed. "Good...cuz I picked it out especially for you. I knew you'd like it better than those flannel snowflake PJs."

Marty laughed. " I didn't seem to mind them too much if I remember correctly." He said as he pulled Kelly closer so she was flush against him.

Kelly laughed again...her eyes still on Marty's. "Maybe not...but you DID say something about sexy lingerie."

"I did...and I'm FAR from complaining." Marty giggled as he playfully ground his hips against Kelly.

Kelly reached up to gently take a hold of Marty's face in her hands, then got up on her tiptoes to kiss his lips softly.

Marty willingly kissed Kelly back just as softly, his hands moving to rest on her lower back.

Kelly groaned quietly as she deepened the kiss a bit...nibbling softly on Marty's lower lip.

Hearing Kelly groan quietly caused Marty to do the same as he went along with the kiss and deepened it even a little more.

Kelly finally pulled back and looked deep into Marty's eyes. "What's a girl gotta do around here to get her boyfriend to make love to her?" she asked quietly.

NickyCman says:

He whispered, still holding Kelly close to him.

Kelly reached up to caress Marty's cheeks...her eyes still locked on his. "Are you sure?"

Marty nodded his head as he looked back into Kelly's eyes. "Of course...why wouldn't I be?"

Kelly shrugged...a smile on her face. "Just checking."

Smiling back Marty pulled Kelly to him again and leaned down to capture her mouth in a slow yet passionate kiss, his tongue automatically pushing it's way into her mouth and starting a slow pace around the inside of her mouth.

Kelly groaned quietly against Marty's mouth...closing her eyes as she fell right into the kiss. It was easy for her to get lost in Marty's kiss...it always felt so sweet...and so right.

Marty wrapped his arms around Kelly's back, pulling her flush against him again as he continued to kiss her. As time went on and the more turned on he got the more he deepened the kiss.

Kelly finally pulled her mouth away from Marty's...desperately in need of some air. "I love you," she whispered...pressing light kisses over his chin as she caught her breath.

"I love you more." Marty said in a half giggle half moan. Even Kelly placing soft kisses on his chin was causing his body to react. Just the moment was so perfect that it was turning him on.

Kelly giggled in response. "Nuh uh."

"Hmm...okay maybe not but I do love you very, very, very much." Marty said with a big smile on his face as he let his hands move up and down the silky fabric of Kelly's robe and night gown.

Kelly laughed again as she looped her fingers through the belt hoops on Marty's jeans, and slowly started moving backward toward the bed. "I know you do."

Marty smirked as he walked slowly with Kelly to the bed. "I do believe you are trying to seduce me." He joked.

"Is it working?" Kelly asked with a chuckle and a raised eyebrow.

"You had be in the palm of your hands from the second I saw you wearing that at the door." Marty laughed and looked Kelly up and down again, moaning slightly.

"Oh...so you only want me for my sexy lingerie?" Kelly asked with a smile. When she reached it, she lifted her legs to get up on her knees on the bed...her fingers still holding Marty's belt hoops.

"I would want you if you were wearing a gunny sack...the sexy lingerie is just an added bonus." Marty whispered as he looked down at Kelly kneeling on the bed in front of him. His voice getting a little deeper now then it had been just seconds ago. Kelly was the most beautiful person he had ever seen and he couldn't help the reactions he got when he was around her...not that he would want them stop even if he could.

Kelly giggled quietly as she slowly tugged Marty's shirt up and over his head. "Good to know."

Marty raised his arms over his head so Kelly could get his t-shirt off easier the smile on his face the whole time so she could see it once his head wasn’t covered by the material.

Kelly took a good, long look at Marty's upper body as she ran her hands up and down his bare chest. "You're gorgeous," she whispered.

"You've seen me without my shirt on numerous times." Marty laughed but the smile never vanished. "But thank you."

Kelly smiled back at Marty. "It's...I don't know...a little different this time, I guess."

Marty nodded his head in understanding as he reached his hands to Kelly's robe and slowly started to pull it off her body. The whole time his eyes never left her face. "What did the doctor say?" He asked softly as he rid her of the robe.

"Can we talk about it later?" Kelly asked...focusing her own eyes on Marty's face.

Marty didn't exactly like the sound of that but nodded his head and threw it to the back of his mind. "Okay." He whispered as he trailed a finger from between her breasts down to between her legs and back up again.

Kelly settled her hands low on Marty's waist. "Everything's fine," she assured him...wanting his mind to be clear.

Marty let out a deep breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding..."Okay...good." He said with a smile, obviously more relaxed.

"Now...I thought we had a plan, here," Kelly said quietly...her fingertips trailing up and down Marty's bare sides.

The only response Marty gives is to gently push Kelly back on the bed, making sure her legs aren't trapped under her and then climbing over top of her. With a smirk on his face he lowers his head and quickly captures Kelly's mouth with his...this time the kiss wasn't as slow...but more heated...and needy but the love was definitely still there.

Kelly immediately wrapped her arms around Marty's narrow waist...setting her hands on his bare lower back as she kissed him back just as heatedly.

Marty moaned into the kiss as his tongue plunged into her mouth and started to quickly seek out each and every inch of it. His hands resting on her cheeks.

Kelly ran her hands over Marty's lower back a bit before sliding them lower...and resting them over his jeans-covered ass.

Marty continued to kiss Kelly for a good few minutes before he had to pull back to catch his breath. He pulled back enough to look into her eyes and taking in the much need air. "God...Kel." He said between pants for air, his voice much deeper and husky sounding by this point.

"What, baby?" Kelly asked in a whisper.

"We've only kissed...and I'm already so turned on." Marty whispered back as he shifted his hips a little so he could press his erection against Kelly's thigh to make his point.

Kelly chuckled. "And here I was thinking we could be all slow and romantic about this."

Marty pouted a little and lied down to rest his head on Kelly's chest for a second. "Just give me a minute and I'll be okay." He said softly, embarrassed that he didn't have control...he was NEVER like this any other time.

Kelly took a deep breath as she wrapped her arms around Marty and hugged him against her. "It's OK. I mean...if we can't do it...slow...I understand." she said quietly.

Marty lifted his head up and looked down at Kelly again and shook his head. "No...we'll do it slow."

Kelly chuckled as she looked up into Marty's eyes. "I just thought it would be nice and romantic since it's our first time...and MY first time actually making love."

Marty smiled big and nodded. "I totally agree with you. I can do that."

"Are you sure?"

"I can sure as hell try." Marty laughed.

"That's good enough for me."

"Because I don't want things to be fast either. This is MY first time too...and it's important to me." Marty whispered, happy that the conversation in the last few minutes had calmed him down some.

Kelly smiled and placed a quick kiss on Marty's lips. "OK."

Marty thought of something. "Before...we really get started with this...do we need to use a condom?" He knew she couldn't get pregnant...but he wasn't sure if she felt safer still for whatever reason.

Kelly shook her head. "No. I mean...I trust that you're..." She let her voice trail off...not wanting to kill the moment by saying something offensive.

Marty nodded his head, understanding what she meant. "I am...I know for a fact."

Kelly nodded. "OK."

Taking a deep breath Marty smiled down at Kelly and prayed that he could keep control of himself. Now he had the added bonus of being inside of Kelly without a condom...something he had NEVER done before...at least that he could remember.

Kelly sighed quietly and trailed her fingertips up Marty's back. "I want you, Marty," she said in a whisper.

"Sit up." Marty commanded softly. As he sat up too

Kelly brought her hands to the bed at her sides, and slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position...her eyes never leaving Marty's.

Marty lifted Kelly's hips a little so he could get her night gown out from under her. Then he proceeded to lift the piece of clothing up over her head. Once it was gone he sat there taking everything in.

Kelly kept her eyes on Marty's face...watching as his eyes tried to memorize every inch of her body...as her hands went to the button on his jeans.

Marty's stomach muscled contracted when he felt her hands against the very sensitive place but his gaze didn't falter from looking her body up and down.

Kelly gently bit her lower lip in concentration as she got the button undone, then slowly slid the zipper down.

Once Kelly had his pants undone he stood up on the bed and slowly pulled them down to show he wasn't wearing anything underneath. A smirk was on his face as he looked down at her, his jeans attached to only his ankle.

Kelly smiled up at Marty as she lay back on the bed. "Came prepared, I see?"

"Actually I rushed in getting ready." Marty laughed as he sat back down to get the jeans all the way off.

Kelly giggled. "So you just forgot?"

"No...I just didn’t take the time to put them on." Marty laughed again. "Plus...I just don’t like wearing underwear sometimes."

"Oohh...sexy."

Marty rolled his eyes and giggled. "Yeah...suppose so." He said as he slowly moved so he was over the top of her again and slowly rested his body down a smirk on his face as he did.

Kelly closed her eyes and groaned at the initial feel of Marty's naked body on hers.

"I love you." Marty whispered before he once again lowered his head and captured Kelly's mouth with his.

Kelly responded by groaning into the kiss...her hands moving up to rest on the back of Marty's buzzed head.

Marty moaned loudly into the kiss as he deepened it even more, his hands going in between their bodies and to Kelly's breasts, needing them slowly in time with the movements of his tongue inside of her mouth.

Kelly groaned louder at the feel of Marty' hands on her...spreading her leghs some to allow Marty to settle between them.

Marty settled in between Kelly's legs as he continued to kiss her and kneed her breasts in both hands.

Kelly slid her tongue out of her mouth to battle with Marty's as her hands slid down to the soft skin on the back of his neck.

Moaning loudly, Marty's hands moved from Kelly's breasts to her head as he tried to push their heads together even more. His body pressing against hers as much as it could as he continued to kiss her like crazy.

Kelly whimpered as she pulled away to take a deep breath...her hands sliding down to the backs of Marty's shoulders.

"I want to make love to you now." Marty whispered looking down into Kelly's eyes, his voice coming out deep and dripping sex.

A quiet moan slipped from Kelly's throat. "Please..."

Marty didn't need anymore reassurance as he quickly took himself into his hand to smear the precum around a little to make it more slick before positioning himself. With his eye son Kelly the whole time he slowly began to move inside of her. "Oh god." He whimpered at the feeling of being inside of her without anything in his way.

Kelly cried out and dropped her head back onto the bed as Marty started to enter her...her fingernails digging into the backs of his shoulders as her back arched and her legs spread a bit more.

Marty took a deep breath and finished pushing inside of her. Not stopping again until he was all the way in and there he waited for Kelly to adjust a little and so he could try and calm himself down a little.

"Oh God...oh God..." Kelly moaned out...moving her hips against Marty a bit to adjust to his size.

Marty bit his lower lip as he felt Kelly move against him a bit, but he didn't move he just looked into Kelly's eyes and waited for the go ahead.

Kelly looked up into Marty's eyes...breathing hard as she tried to settle down. She couldn't help but smile at him. Their lovemaking hadn't even really begun yet, and she already knew she'd never felt so good.

Marty smiled back and leaned down to kiss Kelly soft on the lips as he moved out of her a little bit and then back in...starting a gentle slow place. This was already the most amazing experience he had ever had...and it had nothing to do with the fact that there wasn't the latex barrier between them. It was the fact that he was doing it with the woman he loved.

Kelly closed her eyes as she slid her hands up Marty's back. She rested one on the back of his neck, and used the other on the back of his head to hold his face against her neck...craving all the closeness she could get.

Marty made sure to keep his upper half pressed against Kelly's as his lower half moved slowly. His eyes were closed tightly as he breathed deeply against her neck. He had never though sex could be so powerful and so relaxing. For once in his life he wasn't doing this to get off he was doing it to be close to Kelly...and that's exactly what he wanted.

Kelly let out a long, soft moan as she allowed herself to completely relax. She had no reservations about what was happening. She wasn't sure she'd ever felt anything so right.

After keeping the very slow pace for a good few minutes, Marty couldn't help it but he needed a little more. Lifting his head from her neck he propped himself up on his forearms and moved out of her a little more before thrusting back inside and beginning a little harder and faster pace. His eyes still locking on Kelly's once again.

Kelly arched her back and dug her fingernails into the backs of Marty's shoulders as she moved against him...moaning quietly as she spread her legs more to allow for complete closeness. She never would have admitted it out loud because it was so cliché, but with Marty inside her...truly making love to her...she realized that she had never before felt so whole.

Marty was beginning to break a sweat as he started to move against Kelly even more. Quiet moans and groans could be heard coming from deep in his chest as he kept up the same pace as before. Leaning down he kissed her again, his tongue finding it's way inside and starting a rhythm with her tongue that matched the one of his hips.

Kelly groaned into the kiss...returning it at a slow, passionate pace as one of her hands moved up to caress the back of Marty’s neck.

Pulling back from the kiss after a minute or so Marty looked down into Kelly's eyes, his mouth open slightly from breathing hard he took deep breath and smiled a little. "I love...you...so...much." He said between thrusts of his hips, picking up the pace a little more but everything was still done in love.

"God, baby...I love you, too...so much," Kelly assured Marty as she looked deep into his eyes. After a moment, she closed her eyes again as a single tear rolled down her cheek, and whimpered quietly as she started moving with him a bit more.

Marty knew well enough that Kelly wasn't crying because she was sad so he just kissed the tear away and then pulled back to look at Kelly even though she wasn't looking at him. It was at that moment that he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her in his life. He knew he didn't deserve her at all but yet she was still there with him and enjoying the best experience in the world with him. When Kelly starting moving against him more Marty couldn't help but groan loudly and throw his head back a bit.

"Feels...so good..." Kelly whispered quietly as she continued to move with Marty. She didn't bother to say more than that, because she knew that words really couldn't express how she felt...both physically and emotionally.

"God...yeah...baby. Feel's really good." Marty whispered back as he picked up the pace a little more his hormones beginning to take over no matter how hard he tried to keep in control. Biting his lower lip, Marty concentrated on keeping things slow and romantic because that is what they both wanted.

Kelly lifted her legs off the bed and carefully wrapped them around Marty's waist...moving her hips up off the bed to feel his penetration even deeper. She let out a loud groan at the sensation. "Mmm...God..."

Marty's eyes rolled back in his head at the feeling of Kelly wrapped tighter around him. "Shit." He groaned loudly as he picked up the pace even more. He looked down at Kelly with apologetic eyes.

"It's OK," Kelly whispered...then lifted her head to give Marty a quick kiss on the lips. She didn't want him to feel regretful about anything that was happening.

Marty took a deep breath as he threw all caution to the wind and just went with what he was feeling. Propping himself up on his hands more he pulled almost all the way out of Kelly and then thrust back inside.

"Oh, shit," Kelly moaned out. She knew cursing wasn't exactly romantic, but she had stopped thinking straight. Everything she had in her was focused on wonderfully amazing this man was making her feel...on how she never wanted it to end.

Hearing Kelly curse only managed to turn Marty on even more and he continued the harder, faster pace...the whole time looking down at Kelly's face to read the level of pleasure on her face. His left hand moving from the bed to cup Kelly's left breasts in his hands and began to need it in his hand. His fingers flicking the nipple.

"Oh...oh God...Marty..." Kelly whimpered quietly as she struggled to keep up with his quick pace...her fingernails pressing into his flesh even harder.

Marty had to close his eyes tightly when he felt himself getting too close. He didn't want this to be over yet. Biting his lower lip and his eyes shut tightly he tried to get his body to slow down just a little so it wouldn't be all over. "Fuck." He groaned between clenched teeth.

Kelly opened her eyes to look at Marty. "Relax, baby," she whispered as she leaned up to kiss his chin...not wanting him to feel any kind of pressure. If he needed to continue...she wanted him to. If he wanted to just stop for a bit and gather himself...she wanted him to.

Marty let his bottom lip free from his teeth and opened his eyes to look down at Kelly with lust filled eyes that showed so much love. Taking a deep breath he stopped his movements even though his body was screaming at him to just keep going. There he rested back down on his forearms again to try and compose himself a little.

Kelly closed her eyes again...letting herself relax, as well as she slowly ran her fingers up and down the sweat-dampened skin of Marty's back.

After lying there for a few good minutes Marty took another deep breath and continued the slow place from earlier again.

Kelly groaned when she felt Marty start moving again...then opened her eyes to look at him. "Marty...stop," she instructed gently...unlacing her legs from his waist.

Marty stopped right away and looked down at Kelly with concern in his eyes. "Are you...okay?" He asked softly.

Kelly nodded. "Roll over."

Confusion was written all over Marty's face as he rolled them both over, himself still deep inside of Kelly.

Kelly gave Marty a small smile as she braced her hands on his chest and settled herself on him. "Is this OK?"

Marty smiled back and nodded, his hands going to rest on her thighs. "Yeah...this is perfectly fine."

"Are you sure?" Kelly asked...her eyes still on Marty as she started slowing moving on him.

Groaning Marty nodded his head as he let himself completely relax back on the bed.

Kelly didn't respond. Instead, she caught her lower lip between her teeth and dropped her head back with a moan as she rocked her hips against Marty's in a slow yet hard fashion...feeling him fully.

"Christ..." Marty moaned as he threw his head back and thrust his hips up against Kelly's. She felt so tight against him that even though he had taken those few minutes to compose himself he knew it was only a mater of minutes before he would be losing all control of his body...but he was going to totally enjoy the experience and hold out as long as he could...never wanting it to end.

Kelly stopped her movements briefly to lean down and take Marty's left nipple into her mouth. After licking and sucking on it for a moment, she moved to give the other one the same attention.

"God...Baby...keep doing that...and I...I won't last much longer." Marty whispered as his body did a full body shudder at the feeling of Kelly's mouth sucking and nipping at his nipples one of his most sensitive places.

Kelly chuckled quietly as she removed her mouth from Marty's nipple, and brought to his lips for a soft kiss.

Marty giggled a little against Kelly's lips as he kissed her back just as softly. He then pulled back and looked up at her with an amused look on his face as he reached out to touch her cheek. "No matter how hard we try this wont last forever." He whispered. "But I know for a fact there will be many times...just like this one."

Kelly smiled. "I know..." she replied in a soft voice. "...but...for some reason...I just don't want THIS time to end."

Marty bit his lower lip but you could tell he was still smiling. Letting go of his lip after a second he giggled. "Honey...a guy only has so much control." He joked.

"I know...and I have a feeling you're about to lose yours," Kelly said...still smiling as she gently rolled them over so Marty was back on top.

Marty pouted playfully, thinking it was so awesome that they were goofing off while having sex. "I'm trying to keep control...but it isn't working...damn you for being so sexy and tight." He said in a sexy husky voice, smirking.

Kelly groaned at that. "God, Marty. You turn me on so fuckin much. Why didn't I figure this out years ago?"

"Cuz...maybe you didn't like the Marty that slept with all kinds of women...in that way?" Marty suggested as he started to move again.

"I don't know," Kelly answered as she closed her eyes and fell back into the rhythm of Marty's hips.

This time Marty didn't hold himself back when he felt himself teetering on the edge he just kept going his pace picking up even more and getting even harder the closer he got. When he felt that he was almost too close he reached between their bodies and between Kelly's legs to pleasure her even more as he trust deep inside of her, making sure to hit her where he knew felt good.

"Oh God...oh God..." Kelly moaned out...her hands gripping the bedspread at her sides. "You...mmm...yes..."

Marty smiled as he panted, his fingers continuing to work their magic as his continued to thrust in and out of her his orgasm so close. "Baby...I'm almost...there." He whispered huskily.

When she heard that, Kelly let herself go. Her muscles ferociously contracted around Marty's erection as she came hard...her orgasm taking her breath away. "Oh...Marty...FUCK!"

A mixture of hearing and feeling Kelly's orgasm was all that it took for Marty to reach is own orgasm. With only a few more deep hard thrusts he berried himself deep inside of Kelly and came hard. "God...KELLY." He screamed at the top of his lungs as he shot load after load deep inside of her.

Kelly cried out loudly as another orgasm tore through her body...and she reached up to cling to Marty like he was all she had.

With the feeling of Kelly orgasm again caused the same reaction to his body as he shot another load...something he had NEVER done before. “Shit!” He cried out just as loudly and flopped down on top of Kelly, hoping he wasn’t hurting her he just couldn’t stay up anymore his body felt like Jello.

As soon as Marty lowered himself onto her body, Kelly wrapped her arms around him and held him close...not saying anything as she closed her eyes with a long, deep breath.

It had probably been a good ten minutes before Marty felt like he could talk again...and then the first words out of his mouth were...”Kelly...I love you.” He mumbled against her chest.

Kelly smiled...her fingertips lazily trailing over Marty's shoulders. "Is THAT what you called what just happened here? Love? Cuz I really don't know WHAT to call it."

Marty giggled a little, still not moving from on top of Kelly. “That is what I call an AMAZING love making session with a person I care so much for.”

Kelly sighed contentedly. "It WAS amazing. I've honestly never felt anything close to that."

“Me neither.” Marty whispered and yawned then laughed. “You whipped me out.”

Kelly chuckled. "It WAS draining...but I'm not tired. I'm hungry."

Marty couldn’t help but bust up laughing his face still against Kelly’s chest. Taking a deep breath he finally sat up a little and pulled out of Kelly, groaning loudly at the feeling and then falling next to her on the bed. “What do you want to eat?”

"Sushi," Kelly said with another laugh...cuz she knew Marty would be disgusted by the idea.

Marty turned his head to the side to face Kelly quickly a very disgusted look on his face. “Ahh hell no...no raw fish around moi.”

Kelly laughed again, then pouted. "But I like it," she said in a slightly whiny tone.

Marty pouted back. “But it stinks...and it’s like practically still alive.” He whined back at her.

Kelly sighed. "Fine. I'll wait to eat it when I'm ALONE."

"And it does NOT smell."

Taking a deep breath Marty rolled over so he was facing Kelly. “Know any Sushi places that deliver?”

Kelly looked over at Marty and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'll eat something from room service."

“If you want sushi baby...I’ll get it.” Marty said honestly.

"I know you will," Kelly said with a smile. As independent as she was, she loved knowing that Marty would do anything for her. "But I don't need it. Anything's fine."

Getting up totally naked he walked over to the small table and picked up the room service menu and brought it back to the bed.

Kelly leaned up on her elbows and watched Marty as he moved across the room and back. She thought he was absolutely beautiful...and couldn't believe he was hers.

Climbing onto the bed again he handed the menu to Kelly. “Pick out anything your little heart desires.” He said with a smile.

"My heart desires sushi," she mumbled with a dramatic eye roll as she opened the menu...just being playful.

Marty rolled his eyes right back and laughed. “Then by all means get the raw, disgusting fishy stuff.” He joked.

Kelly laughed as she studied the menu...albeit distractedly. She couldn't get the amazing lovemaking she'd just experienced out of her head.

Crawling onto the bed more, Marty flopped back down next to Kelly and looked up at the ceiling. He was too distracted to think of food. His mind was more on what had just happened...what powerful experience he and Kelly had just had.

Kelly finally turned her head top look at Marty...curious as to why he was being so quiet. "You OK?" she asked quietly...reaching her hand out to lightly caress his tattooed forearm.

Marty turned his head to look at Kelly and smiled. “Yeah...I’m fine...just thinking.”

"Bout what?"

“How amazing what we just did was.”

Kelly nodded. "Thank you...for it. You made me feel more special...more beautiful...and more loved than I ever have."

“You made me feel exactly the same way.” Marty whispered with a smile and then giggled a little. “Not to mention the fact that I’ve NEVER came twice like that before.”

Kelly widened her eyes. "Get out."

Marty blushed a little and bit his bottom lip. “It’s true.”

Kelly giggled. "Damn...I'm good."

“Hell yeah you are.” Marty laughed...then again it could of been because we didn’t use a condom.” He said with a smirk, playfully saying that was the reason and not cuz Kelly was good.

Kelly rolled her eyes again and got up off the bed. "What...ever," she teased with mock huffiness as reached for her robe and slipped it on.

Marty propped himself up on an elbow and watched Kelly slip the robe on and giggled. “Awe...you mad at me now?” He asked, even though he knew she was just playing around.

"Hmph. FIRST you won't let me have sushi...and NOW you're saying the good sex was thanks to no condom," Kelly said...her nose in the air as she tied her robe, then went to take a seat at the table with the menu.

Marty got up off the bed and walked over to where Kelly was sitting, still totally naked. “I’m sorry, baby.” He whispered in her ear as he rubbed her shoulders. He knew she was just joking around but so was he.

Kelly smiled as she continued to look at the menu. "You should be."

Slipping out of character for a second, Marty thought of something. “Have you talked to Justin...seen how his meeting with Johnny went?”

Kelly turned to look at Marty with a raised eyebrow. "Wow. I wasn't expecting you to bring up Justin right now."

Marty laughed and blushed a little again. “I don’t know why...but he just popped into my head...guess I’m worried for him ya know...I mean he’s got a lot to deal with right now...like the rest of us but his is more public.”

Kelly nodded. "I know. And no...I haven't talked to him. I came home...then took a shower...then you were here."

Moving from behind her, Marty went to sit down at the chair across from her. “Can you tell me about your doctors appointment now?”

Kelly nodded...folding the menu on the table as she crossed her legs under it. "Yeah. It went pretty well."

Marty cleared his throat and licked his lips. “What do you mean by...pretty well?”

Kelly shrugged. "He said everything looked good with me...and he sees no reason why I should have any problems with the pregnancy. But...he wants me to gain weight."

“That sound pretty normal to me.” Marty said with a nod as he reached across the table to take Kelly’s hand...knowing what she was having problems with.

"No. Not like...gain weight as I get bigger. Gain weight now. He said a lot of the weight I already have is muscle...so I need to put some more mass on...or something like that. He said it could be unhealthy for the baby if I don't."

Marty took a deep breath. “Then...that is what you’re going to do.”

Kelly chuckled. "Easy for YOU to say."

“Kelly...I know that idea scares you to death...but you can’t really think of just yourself right now.” Marty said softly.

Kelly shook her head. "I'm not, Marty. Actually...none of it was EVER selfish with me," she said...somewhat disbelieving that Marty was implying that. "I couldn't help all that. I didn't do it because I wanted to look good. I had it in my head that I had to do it to be a dancer."

Marty sighed and nodded his head. “I know that honey...I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that.” He said softly, feeling bad for saying something like that. “I’ll help you in any way I can...with this.”

Kelly nodded...sighing herself. "I know...and I'm sorry I got defensive. I just...I hate even thinking that I was ever like that."

Scooting his chair closer to Kelly’s he wrapped her in his arms. “It’s in the past sweetheart...now we just gota work on getting you ready for this baby...because him or her is coming no matter if your body is ready for it.”

Kelly nodded again. "I know."

“Is there any special diet the doctor told you to try...to help you gain the weight you need?”

"Just to eat more than I do, if I can. Like...eat more times a day...and bigger portions. But not to eat only shit. Eat healthy, too."

Marty giggled. “Awe nuts no chips and ice cream...and burgers and all that good stuff all the time...how fun is that?”

Kelly giggled. "Well...not ALL the time."

“Well...we’ll get through this too...just like everything else.” Marty said softly as he leaned over and gave Kelly a soft peck on the lips.

*****@*****

Justin's ringing cell phone woke him up around nine o'clock in the morning. He answered it to discover it was Johnny giving him a wakeup call so they could get some things done before Justin had to leave town. After ending the call, he dialed Nick's cell phone number, and rubbed his eyes as he listened to it ring on the other end.

Nick groaned when he heard his cell phone ringing on the night stand beside him. Yes, it was noon but he was still passed out in Justin's bed. Almost thinking about ignoring it Nick groaned again as he blindly reached for the phone and flipped it open. "Yeah?"

"Mornin to you, too," Justin drawled sleepily.

Even though he felt like death warmed over, Nick couldn't help but smile when he heard Justin's voice. "Sorry...good morning, Justin."

"Why are YOU still in bed?"

"I lost track of time." Nick whispered, not wanting to tell Justin he had been up all night getting sick.

"Oh," Justin said through a yawn. "Well...how'd you sleep?"

Nick made a face thinking about how he slept and sighed, feeling guitly for not telling Justin. "Not so great...you're bathroom floor even with that fuzzy bathmat isn't too comfy." He said softly.

"What are you talking about?"

"I was getting sick from like thirty minutes after we talked last night...up until like 6am." Nick said as he shifted gently on the bed, wincing when his muscles screamed out in pain.

"What?" Justin asked...sitting up in bed a bit. "Why?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders even though Justin couldn't see him. "I dunno."

"There had to be SOMETHING that made you throw up," Justin pointed out...reaching up to rub his eyes again.

"Probably that hotdog I ate at the zoo yesterday." Nick said with a groan when his stomach turned at just the idea of food.

"How you gonna throw up from just a hotdog?"

Nick closed his eyes and sighed. "If it was bad or something...I don't know what made me sick...okay." He exclaimed softly, trying his best not to cry. He knew it was childish but he had always hated being sick.

"Damn. OK. Fuckin forgive me for being concerned."

Hearing that Justin was upset caused Nick to sniffle a little. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to yell at you...it just sounded like you didn't believe me that I was sick or something."

"I never said I didn't believe you. I just wanted to know what could be making you sick."

"I honestly...don't know. I heard your brothers running around outside earlier and they ate the same thing I did...so I don't know." Nick whispered as he attempted to sit up in bed and groaned. "Shit." He mumbled under his breath.

Justin sighed quietly. "I'll call my mom and ask her to go over and check on you. She can always make ME feel better."

Nick smiled a little. "No...that's okay...I'll just stay in bed all day...I'll be fine." He said as he lied back down. "I'm sorry...I've been a shitty boyfriend...how are YOU this morning...did you sleep well?"

Justin sighed again. He hated how Nick could be so stubborn. "Yeah...fine," he answered...rubbing his suddenly-pounding forehead a bit.

"Are you okay...what's wrong?" Nick asked, concerned...he didn't like the way Justin had answered that.

"I'm fine, Nick."

Nick sighed and let it go. "What are your plans for today?"

"I don't know, exactly. Johnny just called. I have to meet him at WEG in an hour," Justin said...throwing his covers off, and stretching out his lean, muscular body with a groan.

Nick giggled a little. "Oh...now that sounds like fun...a day with Johnny."

"Not fun. All business."

"I know...I was being sarcastic." Nick giggled again and then took a deep breath. "When are you coming home?" He asked softly, hoping that Justin wouldn't get angry at him for asking.

"I don't know. Maybe tonight. Probably tomorrow."

Nick smiled a little. "Tomorrow is good...tonight is even better...I miss you."

"I miss you, too. But I can't leave til shit here is settled."

"I know...and I understand that.

"Thanks."

"Are you mad at me?" Nick asked softly. "You've been acting funny this whole conversation."

"No. I'm not mad," Justin answered...putting a hand over his eyes.

"Something is wrong though...that you aren't telling me."

Justin took a deep breath. "No. Nothing's wrong, really. I just got kinda upset at the way you got all snippy with me."

Nick pouted and sighed. "I'm really, really sorry about that. I just didn't have a very good night. I really didn't mean to get snippy with you."

"Why would you even THINK I didn't believe you? Why would you lie about throwing up?"

"I don't know...it was the way you kept asking me about what got me sick...and how you were like 'how you gunna throw up from just a hotdog'. To me that sounded like you didn't believe me." Nick said softly.

"I was just implying that there had to be something else."

"I know that now...I just jumped to conclusions."

"S'OK."

"Really...you forgive me...and you're not going to ditch me to go date a much cuter Californian hunk?" Nick asked with a smile on his face.

Justin chuckled a bit. "Not this time."

Nick smiled even bigger. "Good...I got you to do that chuckle that I think is SO cute."

Justin did it again. "Stop."

Nick laughed. "Nut uh...why would I stop something...when I get something I love back in response?"

"It's only a laugh. I laugh all the time."

"True...but even so I still love when you do it...it makes me happy and feel good when I know you're happy."

Justin smiled to himself. "Good to know."

"Would I sound too overbearing and selfish if I asked you to try and come home tonight?" Nick asked softly. "I don't mean ditch anything you have to do there...but it would be nice to have you here too...and okay I'm not making any sense so I'll shut up now." He rambled.

Justin chuckled yet again. "YOU make sense. I just don't know if me coming home tonight makes sense. Bu the time I leave here tonight, I won't get to Tennessee til tomorrow, anyway...so I may as well just get some sleep and get on a plane in the morning."

Nick thought about that for a second and sighed. "Ohh...alright...I guess that does sound a little more practical." He giggled.

Justin laughed. "Jeez. So selfish."

"Well...I guess you having a good nights sleep will benefit me." Nick said with a smirk on his face.

"See? Selfish."

"That would be me...but you love me anyway."

"Says who?"

"Says me." Nick giggled.

"Whatever," Justin huffed...finally moving to sit up in bed.

"I wish you were in bed with me instead of in bed millions of miles away." Nick whispered in a sexy voice.

Justin chuckled. "Why? So you could puke on me?" he teased...absently scratching his bare stomach.

"I have not puked in..." Nick paused to look at the clock. "...Like six hours...I actually feel okay now...just sore."

"You should take a hot bath...or soak in the hot tub, or sumthin."

Nick thought about that and smiled. "You know...you are a very, very smart person, honey." He said as he stretched his aching muscles out.

"I know. Yet another gift."

Nick snorted. "You are just too gifted for me...I should go find somebody less gifted that would fit better with myself." He laughed.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...think about it."

"Nah...I would miss you...you're cute."

"Yeah...I am, huh?" Justin said playfully...getting up and padding his way across the thick carpet of his bedroom to the bathroom.

"Oh totally...and very hot. I'm sure you look really sexy right now with your still not awake yet face on."

Justin laughed softly as he stopped at the toilet to pee...shameless over the fact that he was still on the phone with Nick. "Maybe, he said through a long yawn.

Nick busted up laughing and ran a hand through his hair. "Okay...and now you're peeing...with that very adorable content look on your face. The one you get when you are relieving yourself or right after you cum."

Justin made a face and laughed. "Like you've ever seen me relieve myself..."

Nick thought about that and laughed. "Good point...I'm just using my very vivid imagination...but I HAVE seen you cum." He pointed out and giggled again.

Justin laughed. "Uhh...yeah."

"And MAN is that a sexy sight." Nick said with a slight moan. He may be sick...but he wasn't dead and now he had a picture in his head that wasn't going away.

Justin finished his business then flushed the toilet...laughing as he went to the sink to wash his hands. "Gift."

Nick rolled his eyes. "You sure are being conceded today." He giggled to show he was joking.

"That's cuz I'm a stuck-up, pampas ass rock star."

"Nah...just too gifted for your own good." Nick said with a smile

"For YOUR own good."

"How is that for MY own good?"

"You have to be able to handle me."

"Oh...I can handle you fine." Nick giggled, he had no idea how he could be in a sexual mood after being sick...but he was.

Justin laughed at that. "Yeah...so far you can," he agreed...then groaned as she cracked his back. "Can I have a massage when I get home?" he asked in a whiny tone.

"I'm sure that can be arranged...full body or just back?"

Justin chuckled. "We'll see when the time comes."

"Awe, man...now you're going to have me thinking about that ALL day." Nick laughed..."Now I have images of you totally naked lying on the bed and me rubbing every inch of your body in my head."

Justin laughed. "Such a graphic imagination you have, Nickolas."

Nick laughed. "Yes and It really needs to stop before things start to happen."

"You'll get hard. Big deal. Nuthin new for you."

"Yeah...but I don't wana get hard when you aren't here to get me off." Nick whined playfully.

Justin laughed. "You need to get over the whole no jerking off thing. There are gonna be times we're apart for extended periods, ya know."

"You just wana think about me jerking off." Nick giggled a smirk on his face.

"Maybe," Justin replied before shoving his toothbrush into his mouth.

Nick laughed when he heard Justin start brushing his teeth. "I'll jerk off if you're on the phone with me."

"Eww...that's like...phone sex," Justin said through his mouthful of toothpaste.

"Well...yeah duh...that was kinda the point." Nick giggled.

"We don't even have REAL sex..." Justin said before spitting into the sink. "...how we gonna have PHONE sex?" he questioned...brushing again.

Nick thought about that for a second. "Hmmm...good point...then I guess in our case it would be phone fooling around." Nick laughed before he started to sing 'Digital Get Down'...having fun messing with Justin a little.

"Ugh...don't even GO there."

Nick busted up laughing. "Okay...sorry baby."

Justin rinsed out his mouth, then wiped it with a towel. "It's sweet that you call me that."

"Call you what?" Nick asked, confused he hadn't even noticed he had done it.

"Baby," Justin replied quietly.

Nick blushed a little. "Oh yeah...you don't mind do you?"

"I just said I think it's sweet."

"I know...but that doesn't mean that you want me to continue to say it."

"Its fine, Nick. Jeez...stop being so doubtful and cautious. If I didn't want you to say it...you should just be like, 'Well fuck you, Justin...I WANT to say it.'"

Nick laughed. "You get sad that I get snippy at you and now you want me to say that....which I would NEVER say."

Justin chuckled. "I actually hope you WOULD say it if I needed to hear it."

"Don't worry, Justin...if you were really pissing me off you would know it...I'm not always so quiet and cautious." Nick giggled.

"OK...good," Justin said...walking over to the shower and leaning in to turn it on.

Hearing the shower turn on Nick laughed again. "I take it this is my cue to say goodbye unless your phone is waterproof."

Justin laughed. "I don't THINK it is."

"I don't think you really care to find out, huh." Nick said smiling big, already feeling so much better now that he had talked to Justin and gotten his spirits up.

"How are things at my house?" Justin asked...getting a fluffy white towel out of the linen closet.

"What do you mean how are things? Like how are the people...or the building in general?"

Justin chuckled. "Both."

"Well...I haven't talked to anybody since we got home from the Zoo yesterday...and they were all fine then. The building is as beautiful and breath taking as always." Nick answered with a sigh. "How are things at your house in LA?"

"Big...and empty...and lonely. But that's how it always is. This house is way too big for me."

"It wont be so bad once I'm living on the property. You're gunna have to literally kick me out to back to my own house." Nick giggled.

Justin smiled. "Or...we could forego the whole guest house thing. I mean...I DO have eight bedrooms in THIS house."

Nick's eyes went wide and a huge smile played over his face. "Really...you mean that?"

"Sure. Why not? You could like...have your own fuckin wing."

"Why did you buy such a big house...if you don't seem to like it?" Nick asked softly.

"I DO like it. It's just...so big. But I mean...people are around sometimes. Trace stays a lot..."

"And now you'll have a live in roommate." Nick giggled smiling. "Now you'll just literally have to kick me out of your wing to go back to my own."

"Sometimes."

"Oh...you won't kick me out all the time?"

"Not when I'm horny."

Nick moaned a little, thinking about that. "Oh...I see you will only let me stay when you want something from me."

"Exactly," Justin said with a chuckle.

"What if I'm horny...will you come to my wing?" Nick asked trying to keep from laughing.

"Nope. YOU have to come to ME and beg me to pleasure you."

Nick moaned again this time a little louder. "Knowing me...I'll be doing that all the time." He laughed.

"I'll lock you out."

Nick pouted. "Hey...that wouldn't be very nice."

"I know, I know. I wouldn't really do that."

"When you want your space, Justin...just tell me and I will leave you alone...I promise."

"Relax, Nick. I'm just messin with you. I know you won't crowd me. Besides...we both need space...not just me."

Nick let out a deep breath he didn't know he had been holding. "You're right....God...I don't know why I take this stuff so seriously."

Justin laughed. "Me neither."

"I'm an emotional wreck." Nick giggled. "But I'm workin on it."

Justin laughed. "I know...and you'll get it."

"Justin?" Nick asked softly.

"Yeah...?"

"Will you make love to me...when you come home?" Nick asked softly and then quickly barried his face in Justin's pillow and groaned. "Wait...forget...I said that." He rambled, scared to death that he even let those words come out of his mouth. That wasn't what he had planned on saying...it had just came out before he had a chance to think about it first...now he knew he had more then likely messed things up.

Justin's breath caught in his throat. "Will...what?"

"Nothing." Nick whispered, closing his eyes tightly, mentally cursing himself.

"No. Why did you ask that?"

Nick took a deep breath. "Because that is what I felt...but I didn't really mean to say it out loud." He whispered again. "Even though...I meant it." He added.

"Nick. Don't. I don't want you to hide what you're feeling from me."

Nick smiled a little. "Okay...well I didn't."

Justin took a deep breath. "Yeah...I noticed."

"But I scared you...didn't I?"

The breath Justin had been holding came rushing out. "Hell, yes."

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to scare you." Nick said gently.

"I know...and I wish it DIDN'T scare me."

Nick smiled a little. "It scares me too...so it's okay baby...for it to scare you."

"I just...I don't know. I don't think it's something we should plan. I think it's something that will happen on it's own...when we're both ready."

Nick thought about what Justin was saying and smiled a little more. "I think that is a very good idea...but I do know one thing I really want to do when you come home." He whispered softly.

"What's that?"

"Have you sleeping in this bed...next to me...snuggling with me all night long like we did before."

Justin smiled. "I think I can handle that...if I get that massage first."

Nick giggled. "You've got it." Just then he remembered something. "Aren't you supposed to be taking a shower?"

"Yeah. The room's filling with steam."

"Ohh very nice mental picture...my very sexy boyfriend in a room full of steam...yup I'll definitely be jerking off after this phone conversation." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Promise?"

"Does it turn you on...knowing I'm going to jerk off?" Nick asked, trying to make his voice a little deeper and husky for effect.

"Of course. Matter a fact...I think I'll do the same in that steamy shower...thinking of MY sexy boyfriend."

"Shit." Nick groaned, this time a real groan not just for effect as he felt himself harden at the thought of Justin jerking off in the shower. "That has to be the best metal picture in the world...well besides actually being there to watch it."

Justin chuckled. "So...go enjoy it, then. I need to get a move on, anyway."

"Okay...hope you don't work yourself too much and that things with Johnny continue to go good. Tell Kelly and Marty hi for me...ohh an call me back later to tell me about jerking off in the shower." Nick said as he went into one of his rambling sessions.

Justin laughed out loud. "Right...got it."

"Good...bye, bye...have a good day...love you baby." Nick said quickly before hanging up the phone with a huge smile on his face.

Justin set his phone on the counter, then finally climbed into the hot shower...a big smile on his face.

End of Chapters Forty One - Fifty