Because of you

“I don’t think I can do this.”

“Of course you can. You both love each other and you deserve to be together.”

“But what if he suddenly changes his mind? What if he decides I’m not worth the trouble? What if some other girl suddenly sparks his interest?”

“Melanie Anne Nicole Smith! Do you hear yourself? You’re never scared of anything and now you’re having fears about marrying the one true man you’ve ever loved?”

Mel cringed at her mother’s tone. Her mother was one of her best friends, and no one knew her better, that is until her fiancée and soon to be husband came along. She was a bit surprised though, when she had first brought Joey home, her mother despised him.  One, because of his status, and in her mother’s eyes all celebrities were stuck up. And two, because of his reputation of being a flirt and huge party animal. It had taken months for her to like him and even longer for her to trust him, but apparently Joey’s charm and change in ways had made a big influence on her mother.

A knock on the bedroom door startled her from her thoughts.

“It’s open.”

Anna, her newest best friend entered. Mel had met Anna when she had started dating Joey. Anna was Chris’s girlfriend at the time and now they were married. Anna was the one true person she felt close to and the two understood each other on levels that no one else could comprehend, not even their husbands.

“How’s the bride?” Anna asked, giving her friend a hug.

“Nervous as hell.”

“Now that’s a first.” They both laughed. “Don’t worry. Everything will go smoothly. Trust me.”

“Where is everyone?” Mel asked.

“The guys are going to Joey’s place, and once they’re all there, they’ll move to the church to get ready and make sure everything’s all set up. And don’t worry, I’ll head over there myself later and make sure their doing a good job.” Anna assured her friend when she saw the look of terror come over her face. They both knew that the guys would have no clue as to what was supposed to go on and would make a mess of things. “And the girls are on their way over here to help you get ready. They just had to pick up a few things first.”

“And the kids?” Sophie, Mel’s mother, asked.

“Chris took Jordan with him so that he could get ready with ‘the guys,’ and Brianna’s on her way over here with Crystal.” At that moment, Crystal walked through the door with Brianna toddling along behind her. Following her, were the rest of the bridesmaids.

“Now that everyone’s here. Let the dress up begin!” Marie, JC’s fiancée, hollered. The girls cheered and flocked to the bride. Brianna, who loved to play dress up, went to join in on the fun.

With the guys…

“I can’t believe that Joey is getting married ahead of me.” Lance proclaimed.

All the guys were at Joey’s house preparing for the ceremony that would take place in a couple hours. They had dressed Jordan, Melanie’s son, first and were now almost completely dressed themselves.  Joe Sr. was in the living room watching over Jordan and Steve was in some random room getting the camera ready. Janine and Beverly had already left and headed to Melanie’s house to help with the dressing and hang out with the girls, leaving all guys in one house.

“Yeah, Lance was supposed to be married first. I still can’t believe I beat him to it.”  Justin joked. “Lance buddy, you’re losin’ your touch.” Lance rolled his eyes at Justin.

“Whatever.”

“Time to go guys! Anna just called and said we have to meet her there.” Joe Sr. informed, popping his head in through the door.

Back at the girls…

“Oh. Baby you look beautiful!” Sophie told her daughter as Mel stood in front of the full length mirror dressed in her bridal gown. Tears began to form in Sophie’s eyes as she realized her daughter would now belong to someone else.

“I agree. That dress really suits you.” Jamie said. She and the rest of the bridesmaids were already dressed in their lavender off the shoulder gowns. Brianna toddled into the room in her light pink flower girl dress and stared at Melanie.

“Melanie pretty.” She cooed and wrapped her arms around Mel. Mel smiled and bent over, hugging the little girl.

“Thanks precious. You look pretty too.”

Melanie stood up and once again surveyed herself in the mirror. She felt like crying, and that’s exactly what she started to do. She was completely happy. She was marrying the love of her life, had a son, and would soon have a daughter. She had great friends. Nothing could make her happier. Small tears of joy started to stream down her face. Her friends, once they noticed the tears, all came and embraced her as her mother wiped away her tears with a tissue. Anna left the group and dug through Mel’s cds. Finding the one she wanted she put it in the stereo, and pressed play before rejoining the group. Melanie smiled as she realized it was the special cd Joey had made for her on their one year anniversary. It contained all of “their” songs.

Girl I must confess

From the first time I saw you

Thought to myself don’t I know you?

Girl, you stole my heart

And I cannot lie

Wish I was your kinda guy

Wish I was the one that you claim

For you to spend your time with

At that exact moment, Joey sat silently in the limo on his way over to the church. He had not said one word once he sat down, and was lost in space. JC knocked on his side to get him to exit the limo when they arrived. Shaking his head, Joey climbed out with the rest of the guys and headed inside.

“Dude, you are so out of it.” Justin commented, laughing at the out-of-this-world look Joey had on his face. Joey said nothing.

“Nervous man?” Lance asked and patted Joey’s back.

“Huh?” Joey replied with a confused look on his face. His confusion increased when the guys laughed at him. “Whatever.” He mumbled and stalked off to be on his own. Finding his “dressing room,” Joey popped in the cd he made especially for Mel and began to listen. ‘Because of You’ was his all time favorite song and it was the song they would dance to at the reception. Listening to the first verse, he had a flashback to the time they first met.

~Flashback~

All the members of NSYNC stepped out the large, black SUV and entered the club. It was the newest Orlando hot spot and was packed to the max. The guys had received an invitation to check out the club, and being that it was Joey’s birthday, they decided to celebrate. If it was a total bore, they would leave and head to “Infinity,” Joey’s favorite club.

After being led to the VIP section of the club, Joey got a drink and headed down to the floor along with Justin and Chris. He noticed a large circle in the middle of the floor, and a woman about his age dancing in the center of it. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the dancing girl entranced. She was an awesome dancer. A guy from the crowd stepped up and began to dance with her. Instant jealously flashed through him and a need to protect the girl he didn’t even know.

‘What the hell?!’ Joey thought. ‘Where did that come from?’ He didn’t even know her and he was jealous and wanted to protect her as if she was his. The feelings faded as the guy stepped away, not being able to keep up. She turned in his direction and their eyes locked. She smirked at him and he smirked back.

Their contact was broken when Joey felt a shove from behind. He turned around to see Anna dashing by him.

“Sorry Joey.” She called over her shoulder as she dashed off to find her boyfriend Chris.  He watched as Anna found him and managed to worm herself between Chris and his current dance partner, pushing her away. Chris kissed her neck in thanks as they moved together, the girl he was dancing with must have been a fan. The girl who was pushed aside looked furious and stomped away. Joey laughed and looked back to the spot where “his” girl was, only to find that she was gone. He quickly scanned the club and found her at the bar. He made his way over to strike up conversation.

After a corny pickup line, a drink, some laughter, and an exchange of names, Joey and Melanie were on the dance floor. Their moves were so in sync that a crowd formed to watch them move. Joey was the only person in the club that night that was able to keep up with her.

Hours later, Jamie, Mel’s friend, hauled her aside and said she was tired. They agreed to leave and head back to their apartment. She never got to say goodbye to Joey.

~*End Flashback*~

Joey smiled at the memory. After Mel had mysteriously disappeared, he’d been out of the partying mood and headed back home. And for the next week he drove the guys crazy talking and thinking about Mel. He was completely useless to them work wise and was always told to leave early. Luckily for him, though, it wouldn’t be the last time he saw her.

Baby your love

Got me going out my head

Got me thinking strange feelings

Girl, you’re the only one that makes me feel this way

And Baby your love

Got me imagining what it looks like in the mirror

Girl, I’m so glad that I got at you

I’m so glad that you chose me baby

Continuing to listen to the song, while the girls touched up her makeup from the emotional moment, Mel was stuck with the memory of their second encounter.

~*Flashback*~

It was a long and tiring day, and everything thing that could have gone wrong did. Mel woke up late, having forgot to set her alarm for the day. She was in a cranky mood from the lack of sleep she got from studying all night. Then she was late to class and forgot all her notes at home. To make things worse, she was late to work and received a scolding from her boss when a customer complained about her excellent service, or lack there off. Mel needed badly to go home and take a nice long bubble bath, something that always cheered her up. Glancing at the clock, she groaned when she realized that she still had five more hours of work left before she could leave. She was in no mood to serve the “happy” customers that would appear today.

“Excuse me. Could you tell me where I can find this book?” Mel jumped at the sound of the voice, nearly spilling her coffee all over her front. She did, however, manage to spill some on the counter. Grabbing a nearby napkin, she turned to face the person, while wiping up the mess.

“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s alright – you! Joey, right?” The man smiled.

“Right. And you’re Melanie, right?” She nodded. “Imagine my luck finding you here. This is where you work?”

“For now.”

“Ahh…. a floater I see.”

“Guess you could say that. So what did you need help with?” Joey showed her the name of the book he was looking for. After searching it up in the database, she led him to the area where it would be found. “Here you are.” She said, handing him the book.

“Thanks.  Hey when do you go on break?”

Glancing at her watch, he responded. “Unfortunately, not for another hour or so, why?”

“How would you like to have lunch with me? We could go to a diner or go have coffee or something. You look like you could use some fun, and I can guarantee that.”

“Well…”

“Ah, come on. One little lunch wouldn’t hurt.”

“Well, ok. Sure, why not?”

~*End Flashback*~

And so, they went to lunch, and then dinner, and then on dates. The two of them began to get really close and hang out a lot, just enjoying the company of the other. They couldn’t get enough of one another. Slowly, but surely, something was developing between the two. The more they learned about the other, the more they realized they had a lot in common. Both had kids around the same age, both like the same types of music, both loved to be the center of attention. 

You’re more than the answer

For every question I have

There’s no way that I deserve you

Girl you got me so high

So high in this love

I know it

Girl my everyday is

Because of you

Now girl don’t tell me twice

Even when I looked in your eye

It was gonna be you and I

Babe, brought you into my life

And, so come into my world

Wanna be your boy

Want you to be my girl

The one that our love, I’ll put above everything

That verse brought up memories of when he almost lost her to Mark, Joey thought as he walked the church, making sure things looked ok. Anna had put them all to work when they met up, and given them each specific jobs. Although he didn’t know why, because she would just double check over all the work anyway.

“Baby, I swear I didn’t do it.” He heard Chris complain in the background. Deciding to ignore what was going on, Joey returned to his thoughts. The song was still running through his head and he just couldn’t get it out. But today was a day when he wouldn’t let that bother him. It was their song and on a special day like this, it was allowed.

He remembered the feeling of total helplessness he felt when Mel’s ex, and father of her child, decided to enter the picture again. Mel still had lingering feelings of her ex and was never able to have proper closer when Mark just up and left her when she was pregnant with Jordan. Then he showed up out of nowhere and admitted his love for her. He was upset when he didn’t hear from her for days, having been used to talking to her everyday. Since he was upset, the guys were upset. All they ever heard was Joey talk about Mel, her ex, and her child. He again drove his band mates to the brink of insanity.

Fortunately, for them, all was resolved quickly. Mel got her closure with her ex, after a verbal disagreement between them, and Joey got his girlfriend back, although it wasn’t official…yet.

Hearing lots of shuffling at the entrance of the church, Joey turned and looked. Hearing Mel’s name being mentioned, he knew his wife-to-be had just arrived. Heading in the direction of all the noise, Joey was intent of seeing his fiancée. He didn’t get very far, however, as Lance stopped him before he reached the door.

“Wouldn’t want to jinx the wedding now would you? You know the rules.”

Baby your love

Got me going out my head

Got me thinking strange feelings

Cause you’re the only one that makes me feel this way

And baby your love

Got me feeling like I’m in heaven

Got me flying over the moon

I wanna be the one you’re coming home to.

Popping the cd into the boom box at the church, Mel continued to listen to the song to help calm her building nerves. So far everything was going well, but that didn’t mean things would continue to do so. As she listened to the verse, she remembered just how quick Joey and her relationship had developed. After a few months, marriage was on their minds. And Joey planned the most beautiful and romantic proposal date ever.  

First, he took Mel and her son on an outing with Brianna and himself. They went to a local fair and then on a hot balloon ride. After that, they spent the rest of the day on the beach, swimming and playing beach games. The kids totally enjoyed the day and were knocked out by the end of the day. Joey then had a babysitter hired and he and Mel went out to a private dinner. Afterwards, he took them to their secret spot in the park. They were lying in each other’s arms, enjoying the view and each other’s company. Out of the blue, Joey pulled out a huge engagement ring, at least huge by her standards, and popped the question. Filled with emotion, Mel answered yes, and they shared a passionate kiss. The next day, Mel was up calling Anna with the good news.

Baby your love

Got me going out my head

Got me thinking strange feelings

‘Cause you’re the only one that makes me feel this way

And baby your love

Got me feeling like I’m in heaven

Got me flying over the moon

I wanna be the one you’re coming home to.

Everyone was happy about the couple’s engagement. They were surprised that Joey, the supposed flirt of the group, was actually willing to get married, but they were happy nonetheless. Everything was running smoothly, until Joey was overly friendly with one of their older fans. Mel, who had seen the whole exchange, didn’t talk to Joey for two weeks. She was overcome with a feeling of complete déjà vu. 

Mark had shown the same signs of leaving when he found out she was pregnant with Jordan. First, he was a little more flirtatious with other women, which they didn’t mind at all, since Mark was the hottie on campus. Then, he started cutting their time short, claiming he was always busy. After that, he just stopped all contact with her. Mel, wanting to find out what was going on with her boyfriend, went to find him, only to find out that he was dating someone else behind her back. After the birth of her son, Mel found out that he was engaged to the mistress he was keeping behind her back at the beginning of her pregnancy. It was the most hurtful time of Mel’s life, and she swore she would never go through that again with another guy.

~*Flashback*~

“What the hell is your problem?” Joey yelled back at her.

“You flirting with those girls making them think you want something more is my problem! Damnnit Joey, you already have a reputation for doing that sort of thing! Aren’t you going to change that?”

“I’m happy with who I am!”

“Well I’m not! You practically invited that girl to bed with you!” She screamed, memories of her catching Mark with that wench flashing threw her mind.

“Nothing is wrong with how I please some fans, so it’s not going to change!” he said angrily. A look of hurt cross Mel’s face. She thought that he would do anything for her.  It’s what he’s always told her. People did anything for the one they loved, and Joey’s refusal to change his way just showed to Mel that he truly didn’t love her.

“Not even for the one’s you love?” She asked meekly. Sadness filled her eyes, and Joey suddenly realized the mistake he’d just made. Mel gave him a sad and hurt look, before turning and walking away. Joey wanted so bad to go after her, but knew it would be a lost cause. He had no explanation for his actions and could not form the words to even begin to explain them. So he just watched as is fiancée and the love of his life walked away from him.

~*End Flashback*~

What a painful memory that was. She had almost lost the love of her life, and she would have had it not been for Joey. Every minute of every day he tried to contact her. He continued to send her apology notes and gifts until she couldn’t take it anymore. She finally decided to speck to him and the next verse of the song reminded her of that sweet memory when they shared everything and vowed to never keep any secrets from each other.

Girl I swear (From the bottom of my heart)

I’ll never forget, Baby

That my every sin just steps from me

And everything you do

Girl I’m so in love

Because of  you

“Mel it’s time.” Jamie called to her as the bridesmaids came to get her.

“Ohh, in a few minutes you’ll be one fifth of Mrs. NSYNC!” Anna squealed joyously.

“Yea. I can’t believe I’m doing this. How does it feel being one fifth of Mrs. NSYNC?” Mel asked nervously as she stood up and joined her bridesmaids.

“It’s the best feeling in the world!” Anna said.

“Especially since you’re madly in love with one fifth of NSYNC!”  Crystal exclaimed.

“Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your position right now?” Marie asked. 

“How many would kill to be in any of our positions?” Jamie responded.

Joey stood nervously at the alter, awaiting for the arrival of his beautiful bride. This was it. He was finally doing the one thing no one ever thought he would do. Nervous didn’t even begin to explain how he felt right now. The only thing keeping him sane and in place, was the song he continued to play over and over in his head. His nervousness elevated to new heights when the double doors opened and Jordan and Brianna began their walk down the isle. 

You’re more than the answer

For every question, I have

Justin and Crystal began their walk down the isle. And the nervousness of the bride and groom went up.

There’s no way that I deserve you

Girl you got me so in

Chris and Anna were next, and again a new level of nervousness from the two. They had barely made it here, what if they didn’t make it after this?

So high in this love

I know it

JC and Marie followed at the same pace as the rest. Again a new hitch of nervousness.  Flashbacks of happy time began to flow. Good times outweighing the bad, and giving new hope for the future. They could do this. They were ready. They were in love.

Girl my everyday is

Because of You

Lance and Jamie brought up the end. Justin and Crystal had already reached the alter and began to break off into their positions. She was all alone now. And had to make the first steps on her own to a new life.

You’re more than the answer

For every question, I have

There’s no way that I deserve you

Girl you got me so in

So high in this love

I know it

Girl my everyday is

Because of You

Smiling as the song finished in her head, Melanie was filled with a renewed assuredness of what was to come. This was right. It was the path she was meant to take and one that she would gladly take. Looking up, she met the eyes of her groom, and she knew she had made the right decision. When their eyes met, all nervousness disappeared and love filled them now. She grinned even wider when he winked at her, happy with her life and how it turned out. And with all the passion and love she felt for that man at the alter, she took her first step to becoming Mrs. Joseph Anthony Fatone, one fifth of Mrs. NSYNC.

The End

 Song: Because of You
By: Marques Houston

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