Friday...early...too early...

He was woken when he heard her. His blue eyes opened and when he heard her shallow, heavy breathing and could sense her not laying down, he looked over his shoulder. She was sitting straight up, sweating, panting, with tears streaming down her face.

"Angel..." Justin sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to see her better. "What's wrong?"

She sniffed and shook her head, wiping her face as well. "It's nothing I just had a stupid nightmare. I'm sorry I woke you."

"No, it's ok. You wanna talk about it?"

She tried to pretend like nothing happened, and turned to fluff her pillow. "It's late, we need sleep."

Justin saw her face; saw how her eyes were still crying and how pale she looked. "Yeah we do, but I won't sleep knowing you are this upset but not knowing why."

She fell back on the mattress and growled at the ceiling. "It was just a damn nightmare. Can you leave it alone?"

Justin turned completely around so that he was lying on his side, facing her. "No, I cant. Meredith what happened?" She didn't answer, just looked away from him. His hand moved up to her face and he turned it back towards him.

Her eyes were shut, but tears were streaming over the bridge of her nose, and falling onto the pillow. "You left me. Y..you left me." She whispered.

"Huh?"

Her eyes opened and she slapped his hands away, angrily saying. "THE NIGHTMARE JUSTIN! You LEFT me!"

He kept his voice quiet. "Angel, I would never.."

"Shut up Justin just...I don't NEED this right now. God, I don't need this." She forcefully turned on her side, putting her back towards him.

Justin was rather confused with what was going on. He knew she was stressed out, and the nightmare didn't seem to help, but she had never gotten this upset over something like this before. She had never shut him out like she was now. He didn't know what to do so he just apologized. "I'm sorry. I'll just leave you alone."

"THANK YOU!" She groaned and huffed and resituated her pillow to show him how mad she was.

He stared at her back for a while, and then moved so he was staring up at the ceiling. She had voiced to him after she had had a 3 hour long conversation with Kelly about what happens when she goes to the doctor about how nervous she was. He was nervous as well, but couldn't imagine what she was going through. IT was going to be her body that would carry their child and go through all the changes and pains necessary to have a baby.

But no matter how nervous she was, it was no reason to shut him out. He hated this. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and tell her it would be ok. And then he heard her sniff, and a barely audible whimper came from her mouth. By then there was no stopping him. He had moved over to her, and wrapped his arms around her. "Meredith I'll never leave you. You know that. NEVER no matter what happens."

Her voice was filled with tears and she shook her head. "I know. I just, I'm just on edge."

Justin turned her so she was lying on her back and he was hovering above her. He cupped her face and wiped her tears away with his thumb, while leaning down to kiss her trembling lips. "Try and relax, and sleep, we got a big day ahead of us."

She nodded, and he moved to lie on his back, right beside her. Before he knew it, she was clutching him, the side of her face pressed into his bare chest, her arms wrapped tightly around him and her legs trying their best to wrap around his. She mumbled against him. "Do..Do you mind if I cling..."

He smiled and brought a hand to smooth the hair out over her head. "I never mind. I love it when you hold me like you don't ever want to let me go. Makes me feel safe."

Her small hands gripped his body and her arms held him tightly. Her face was buried in his shoulder as she cried. "I love you Justin, God I love you so much."

Justin sighed, feeling her tears his skin. He didn't like seeing her this upset, but knowing he was somehow comforting was enough to make him not worry as much. He closed his eyes and relished in the feeling of her body, covered in silk clinging to him like he was all she had. "I know Meredith, I love you too."

-----

"Mere?"

No response.

Justin touched her shoulder and shook it. "Meredith..." She groaned.

"Angel, come on, wake up."

Meredith slid his pillow over to her head and covered it, groaning a muffled. "Noooo."

Justin sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the pillow off her face. She scrunched up her nose in the process, and he couldn't help but laugh at her. "Babe we have to be at the doctors in an hour and you have to get up and showered and all that."

She waved him away, and had yet open her eyes. "You go, just tell me what happens when you come back."

Justin leaned down and kissed her forehead. He braced himself, with two hands pressed into the mattress on either side of her. "Angel, I'm not the one that has to carry this baby. You need to go and get all your junk checked out."

Meredith's eyes shot open and she laughed, staring up at him. "JUNK!?!"

"Yeah..." He shrugged.

She brought her arms up around his half naked body and pulled herself up to him, in a hug. "Is that what it's called?"

He kissed her lips barely. "I don't know. You are the female." He stood up and readjusted the towel that was covering his lower half and walked into the closet looking for something to wear.

Meredith fell back on the bed with a grunt and twisted her silk boxers and tank top back the way it was supposed to be. It had gotten tangled in her sleep. "Ugh I hate this...."

"Why?"

"Have you ever had a enlarged eyelash curler stuck up your vagina?!?"

Justin turned his head slowly to her with his mouth open slowly. He took in a deep breath, shocked by her bluntness. "Umm...first of all I don't have a..."

"All right, I'm getting up." She scrambled out of bed and walked towards their bathroom. "Come get me if I'm not out of the shower in 15 minutes, it means I've fallen asleep."

"Well I'm going to be in and out anyway, I'll check up on you."

She peeked back out of the bathroom and looked at him. "Justin you know better than to.."

He turned his back to her and pulled up his underwear. "I'm not going to start anything, love." He unhooked his towel from around his waist and tossed it at her.

She caught it with a smile. "Good."

"Hey, come here." Justin smiled back and stepped towards her, spreading his arms out and then engulfing her in a tight hug.

"What's this for?" She mumbled against his shoulder.

He pulled Meredith away from him and looked her dead in the eyes, concerned. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I guess. Why?"

"Well you kind of scared me last night."

Her face fell and she spoke slowly. "Oh, that. Sorry."

"No, don't say you are sorry. I just...everything ok now?"

She nodded, stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed him. "Perfect."

----

The car ride had been quiet. Except for the radio and Justin's singing. It was getting on her already frayed nerves and she was about to explode. So she reach her hand out and turned the radio completely off.

Justin looked a little shocked, and when he stopped at the stoplight he turned to her with a crazed look. "Angel I love that song."

"I know. But you are singing it extra loud, and it's giving me a migraine."

He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm just excited."

"Really? I didn't notice."

He rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses at her dry sarcasm. "Come on, don't be like that. I know deep down you are bursting with joy as well."

"Of course! But I'm also freaked out. Aren't you scared at all?"

He cringed when she yelled and all he could do was shrug. "Just a little bit. But the more this baby idea is lodged in my brain the more it makes me happy, and excited, and makes me smile and tingle, and god Meredith, I'm gonna be a daddy."

She couldn't help but sigh and grin at the distant smile that played on his lips. She moved her hand and affectionately patted the top of his thigh. "You'll be a great daddy."

"You think? I mean you know Jon and Stevie mean the WORLD to me, but gosh, to have my own. My- OUR own little creation. I just...It's my dream." They pulled into the doctor's office parking lot and Justin kept talking. "I mean I've accomplished so much in my life, but this. THIS is what I want to do ya know. I'm only 28 and I've lived a whole life. But I wanna be a dad for the rest of it. I think it's what I was meant to do."

"JUSTIN!"

HE jumped. "WHAT!"

She whimpered and leaned her head on the glass of the window. "You..You are gonna make me all boohoo before I go in there. So, SHUT UP."

"Yes ma'am." By now they were parked. She kept her head on the cool glass and he just stared straight at the building. Finally he turned and looked at her. "You ready?"

"No." She groaned.

The next thing she knew she heard his door slam. She watched him go in front of the car and to her side as she undid her seatbelt, then open her door and lean over it, looking directly at her. "Listen, I know you must be, actually I don't know what's going on in your head right now. I'm not a woman, I don't know about these things. But I do know you Meredith. You can do this. It's not that hard. We just have to go in there, talk with the doctor, get checked and then we can start this. And you know what that means?"

"What?"

He smiled and reached in the car to pull her out of it, pressing into her with his body. "Lotssss of lovin..."

She shook her head and moved so he could shut her door. "I'm not going to be able to walk if you up your lovin dosage."

"That's fine, we can just...lay...alllll day." Justin began to walk towards the building and extended his arm for her to take his hand.

She sighed when his fingers locked with hers. "Thank you."

"For..."

"Being my rock."

He grinned and dipped his head so say in her ear. "Well it is apart of that whole husband job description thing. At least I think..." She giggled, and it made him smile.

---------

"Well it's a pleasure to meet both of you. I've heard a lot from Kelly and Joey."

Justin stared at the woman in front of them behind a desk with a white coat on. "Joey lies."

Meredith did the same. "So does Kelly."

"Anything they say is not true." His wife nodded in agreement.

The doctor chuckled and reassured them. "Believe me it was good things, very good. In fact, they are a little jealous that you guys are trying to have a baby. They said they would have to try harder for the "parents of the century award"."

Justin tilted his head, almost painfully towards his wife that was sitting in a chair beside him. "Ooo, angel I cant put down a challenge."

She rolled her eyes. "Can we at least have the baby first, then you and Joey can go nuts trying to be the worlds best dad."

"Trying!?! Woman, you best ta recognize."

Meredith turned her eyes from Justin to the doctor. "He's made it an art form to embarrass me."

"Please don't feel embarrassed. Now from the charts it looks like Justin had a physical last month and is it good shape, but Meredith it's been a year for you and a year and half since your last gynecologist appointment so will get all that check out today for you."

Justin slid down in his chair and arrogantly crossed his arms over his chest. "See all my junk is checked out and in top notch shape." When he glanced over at Meredith she was smiling, trying her best not to laugh. "Oh look! I got cha to smile!"

Meredith just shook her head and leaned forward. "If he says "junk" to you, he means his penis."

Justin sat up and his mouth dropped. "You did not..."

"I did..."

The doctor was in giggles. "You guys are just..."

Justin smiled bright. "Go ahead, we know...adorable."

Meredith added. "Cute..."

"Funny..."

"Annoying..."

She nodded at them. "All of the above."

The playful banter between Meredith and Justin shortly died out and the conversation became much more serious. Dr. Conner was a young female doctor that specialized in delivering babies. She was Kelly's doctor and Meredith and Justin were quickly learning why her and Joey recommended her. "So if you have an questions feel free to ask."

Justin pointed to a brochure he was holding. "So um, this little thing right chere...has the dates that ovulation occurs, and those are the best dates. But that doesn't mean those are the ONLY dates that we can, ya know...get our freak on."

Meredith groaned. "Justin, you can stop trying to be funny."

"Try? HA...I don't know the meaning of the word."

Dr. Conner smiled, finally used to both of their personalities. "Justin when you get your freak on is none of my business, but during those times are when Meredith will most likely get pregnant."

"Why thank you Dr. Conner, you are so smart."

Meredith smacked her forehead with her palm. "Timberfake she doesn't need your flattery. I think the degree from Duke University pretty much covers it."

The doctor smiled at Justin anyway. "Thank you, Justin. Ok, well if that's it, we will go get you checked out and then come back here and finish all our business." She pointed at Meredith and stood up from her desk.

Meredith and Justin followed suit. Dr. Conner was discussing things with the nurse that had just stepped in, while Justin pulled on Meredith's elbow and rubbed her arm in a comforting manner. "Want me to come?"

Meredith shook her head and her eyes widened. "Justin you don't want to."

"I don't?"

She patted his chest and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Just sit out in the waiting room, it wont be long."

"Ok, have fun." He smiled.

"I wont."

His head dipped a little and he asked concerned, holding her in his arms. "You gonna be ok?"

She smiled, and he was sure that is was the most genuine smile he had seen from her all day. "Yeah, I'm fine now."

-----------

About an hour later...

He looked at his watch...again. He wasn't really sure how long these ...female checkups took but he was getting a little impatient. The "Parenting" magazines were fun at first but now hey were just the same articles about some new baby formula, or nursing method, or cute baby pictures. He wanted to be with his wife, happy, discussing the next year's events.

He couldn't believe it. HE, Justin Timberlake, was going to be...a daddy. Through it all, he had clinged to his mother, but no one really ever got to see the relationship he had with his dad. After his parents got divorced their relationship was strained. He found a father figure in his stepfather, Paul. But now, being older, his relationship with his real father had blossomed as well. He wanted that with HIS son, or daughter. He wanted to be a great daddy, and he was willing to do whatever it was to be just that.

He was ready for the diaper changes, and late night feedings, the potty training, and first days of preschool...the first everything. He was ready to teach his son about the ins and outs of "women", or warn his daughter about the outs and ins of "boys." He wanted to do it all. He was ready...he was born ready.

Somehow the theme song from Rocky filled his mind. He was empowered. Being a father would be the best thing on earth. Better than millions of records sold, or so many Grammies. It would be the best feeling, to make, create, and raise his own child. His own child...with her.

She was his...everything. Everything he needed or wanted, she gave him. His breath, his heartbeat, his life, his soul. She was his all. He couldn't imagine sharing such a bond like this with anyone else on the planet. And he was on pins and needles, to see her...demanding ice cream and pizza, watching soaps all day, with a big round belly and complaining about back aches. He couldn't wait to lie down beside her at night and rest his head by hers, kissing her sweetly with a hand placed over her stomach.

He was obsessed with having a baby with her. Right now, it was the only thing he could ever wish God for. And here he was, getting it.

"Timberlake...Mr. Timberlake."

Justin shot up out of his seat and the magazine in his hand fell to the floor. He mumbled a sorry and nervously picked it up and laid it in his seat. The nurse just put on a short smile and said, "You can come with me."

His teeth brightly shone through his lips and he followed the lady through the doctors office, marveling at all the pictures of pregnancy stages as he walked, even though he had seen them 2 hours before when he had walked back there with Meredith. But at that time, he was more concerned with his wife and the way she was holding on to his hand, like a scared little girl.

"They are, uh...in there."

"Thanks." He beamed

The nurse just nodded quickly and left his sight.

Justin knocked slightly and cracked the door open. His head popped in and he smile. "Everyone decent?" He laughed at his own joke but his laughter immediately ceased when he saw Dr. Conner, and then...her.

Dr. Conner was standing, glasses on her nose, medical chart held tightly against her chest, like she was protecting some forbidden document. But Meredith, Meredith's face was white, ghostly white, and she was staring, not moving, not blinking, and he wasn't sure she was breathing, just staring at the white, plain wallpaper sitting on the doctors exaiming table.

"Is everythign..ok?" He asked, concerned, stepping farther into the room and shutting the door behind him.

Dr. Collins shook her head after staring at him, and pulled a chair out and motioned towards it. "Justin, why don't you sit down?"

"What the hell is going on?" He looked at the doctor and all she did was sigh and pat the back of the chair. He looked at his wife. And for the first time, ever...he was terrified to say what he did. "A...angel..."

Her eyes shot to his. It was the only movement from her. And then she just stared. If possible, she got whiter.

He watched her closely...noticing the wad of tissue crumpled in her hand and the wet marks on the inside sleeve of her shirt. Her chest raised and she took a deep breath. And then he barely heard her. Either she was deliberately trying to whisper, or she had lost her voice, or maybe...she was too scared to speak.

"I..."

Her face crunched up, and before he could think, she was crying, bawling...it was the worst he had ever seen her, and he had seen her in BAD situations before. Her hands covered her face and she wailed, "I'M SORRY!"

His world began to spin. His perfect life, his perfect world, began to topple over like some giant evil Jenga game, and the next thing he knew, he was collapsing into the chair, holding his chest, and trying his best not to hyperventilate. Back Forward