| �I know everyone is here to see my sing, but I have to do something and it definitely cannot wait. I have to tell someone something very important, and this is the only way I can get it said today,� she said into the microphone, silently praying that JC hadn�t left the building. �I don�t know how to say this...I�m pregnant.� The entire crowd gasped. �Since I�m making big announcements today, I�m leaving the business to be a full-time mom,� she said to the shocked crowd. She turned to look at the curtain, but JC wasn�t there. �Oh gosh, I hope he heard me.� Suddenly, Annabelle felt a small tap on her shoulder. She whirled around hoping to see JC, but was disappointed to see that it was Jay Leno. �Congratulation, Annabelle. We�ll be back after these messages,� Jay announced to the camera. �I�m so sorry about ruining the show, Mr. Leno.� �Please, call me Jay, and you didn�t ruin the show. We�ll be back from commercial in a few minutes; would you mind if I interviewed you?� Annabelle accepted his offer and followed Jay to the chairs after she looked towards the curtain once again. Still no JC. �I think I just told the whole world before I told JC,� Annabelle silently cursed herself. �Belle!� Justin, Lance, Joey and Chris called as they ran towards her. �How could you not tell us? You shocked the hell out of us,� Joey asked. �I�m sorry. I wasn�t planning on telling anyone yet, but then everything happened. I�m sorry,� she apologized, near tears. �Aww...Belle, we aren�t mad. Just surprised. Congratulations,� Justin soothed. �We�re back on air in 1 minute,� a producer called from the back. The guys quickly hugged Annabelle as they shuffled backstage. �In 5..4...3...2...� �Welcome back to the show, right now, we�re talking with pop superstar and mom-to-be Annabelle Cooper. That�s right, mom-to-be. Annabelle just announced her impending motherhood less than 5 minutes ago. So, Annabelle, how are you feeling?� For the next few minutes Annabelle put on her game face and answered Jay�s questions, but thoughts of JC constantly haunted her. �One question before we go. How is the father taking this?� Nervously wringing her hands, Annabelle tried to answer. �Well...um, you see, he�s....� Suddenly a familiar voice called from behind the curtain. �He�s a little shocked, but other than that he�s couldn�t be happier.� Annabelle quickly turned to face JC, who was taking his place next to her on the sofa. �Wait a minute, aren�t you JC Chasez from Nsync,� Jay asked. �I usually am, but today I�m JC Chasez, father-to-be,� JC said receiving a big aww from the obviously shocked crowd. �Well that�s it for the show today. I don�t think we could handle anymore surprises,� Jay signed off. Once the camera shut down, 4 voices could be heard yelling from across the studio, �JC! Belle! Get over here!� Exchanging a brief kiss, Annabelle and JC made their way to the other guys, who stood with their hands on their hips. �So, how long has this been going on,� Joey asked sounding like a concerned father. �Almost two years,� Annabelle quietly answered. �Is there anything else you have to confess,� Justin asked. �We�re engaged,� JC answered with his head guiltily bowed. �I knew it! Pay up you guys,� Chris excitedly screamed. �Well, I won the �how long have they been going out� bet,� Lance chimed in. �You knew! You knew all along! Wait a minute, you guys placed bets on our relationship,� Annabelle guiltily accused. All four guys bowed their heads and murmured their apologies. Excited, Annabelle ran to each guy and hugged them to death. �I�m glad you guys knew. I felt so bad for lying. I love all of you! All of you are going to be godfathers!.� �Belle, you can loosen the death grip now,� Justin managed to say while Annabelle�s arm cut off his circulation. Grudgingly, Annabelle let go of them. �We�ll leave you two alone to talk. Don�t take too long. We have to celebrate,� Chris announced. Congratulations were given once again, as the others made their way back to the green room. �So...did you mean what you said earlier? Are you happy about this,� Annabelle nervously asked. �Of course I�m happy! I was shocked at first. I was almost out the door when I heard you say you�re pregnant, I�m not sure but I think I fainted! Wow! We�re going to be parents. Are you sure you want to give up your career? You don�t have to,� JC said his tone serious. �I spent most of the day thinking about it, and I�m sure. I went through my memory box, and you know what I found out? I found out that all my favorite memories from the past few years had nothing to do with my music. Everything in that box represented a special time I shared with you or the other guys. As long as I have you guys, I know I�ll be happy only singing to our baby, and to you, if you�re lucky,� she teased. �Because of you, I�m the luckiest man alive,� JC whispered as he pulled in for a kiss. |
| Chapter 8 |