�Holy Shit! We were just on HBO, live!� Joey said as the adrenaline from the concert still flowed through him. He looked around at his band mates and couldn�t help smiling as he noticed the same high he was feeling reflected in their eyes before they all collapsed in a huge pile of limbs and laughter.
It was only when security told them they needed to get back to the quiet room they separated themselves from each other. A few minutes later they were in their personal room getting ready to take showers while they waited for the crowds to disperse. Joey held Lance back as the others went to the shower area with towels wrapped around their waists.
�Joey?� Lance asked somewhat worried.
�I just wanted to say thank you for the past five years. For being my best friend as well as my band mate. I know we aren�t supposed to say it, it is like the male code of ethics or something, but I love you Lance.� Joey held his breath as he waited for Lance�s reaction.
�Love like a brother? Like a friend? Or love like something more?� Lance choked out desperate to hear Joey�s answer.
Joey looked into Lance�s eyes and felt the adrenaline forcing the truth out of him. �Love you however you will let me.� He whispered before brushing their lips together softly.
�I was hoping you would say that.� Lance murmured against Joey�s lips before deepening the kiss.
* * * * *
When Joey walked into the room his skin was pale and he was shaking. The four men in the room looked concerned as Joey sat down with a dazed look. After glances to each other, they gathered near Joey with Lance taking his hand gently in his own.
�Joey, what is it?� JC asked, playing Daddy like usual.
�Kelly. . . . � Joey whispered in disbelief.
�What about Kelly?� Chris asked getting more and more concerned. �Is she hurt Joe?�
Joey just shook his head before dropping his gaze away from the four men he felt like he had betrayed. �She�s pregnant. It�s mine.� All that could be heard was four gasps and one choked sob before they all gathered together in a group hug.
�It�ll be okay. We will deal with it, I promise.� Lance whispered in Joey�s ear.
�I�m sorry. I�m so sorry. . . . .� Joey cried as the news finally sunk in.
* * * * *
�I have something I want to ask you.� Joey told Lance quietly as they sat on a couch at The Compound. �You can say no. I mean I will understand if you don�t want to, but I really . . . .�
�Joey!� Lance broke in with a grin. �Just ask. You know I will do almost anything for you.�
�I want you to be the baby�s Godfather.� Joey hurried on without looking at Lance. �I mean, I know you aren�t Catholic and all. We are just supposed to pick someone who could help with the babies spiritual growth as well as her mental and physical well-being. You are the only one I feel like I can trust all of it to.�
�Wow. Joey, this is like a huge honor. Are you sure? What about Steve or one of your family members? Wouldn�t it be better to ask them? I would love to do it, but I don�t want to cause any hard feelings. What does Kelly think? I know she really doesn�t like me much . . . .� Lance continued rambling until Joey knelt before him and took Lance�s face into his large hands.
�Sssshhhh. You are the one I want to do this if you will agree. Kelly knows how I feel and she doesn�t hate you. She knows I love you and you make me happy. If anything she is upset we have something she can never have. I love you Lance and I trust you with the welfare of my child. Please say yes.� Joey ended with a whisper scared his lover would say no.
With tears floating in his eyes Lance whispered �yes� before being enveloped into Joey�s arms.
* * * * *
Two months later Lance was holding his newly born Goddaughter in his arms for the first time under the watchful eyes of her exhausted parents. Although they were no longer together, Joey had stayed with Kelly through the entire labor and delivery. He even cut the cord after watching his daughter be born into the world. They named her Brianna from a name that Joey found in one of the baby books he had flipped through while Kelly was pregnant. Lance had been happy Joey and Kelly had decided on a normal name instead of some of the others they had tossed around.
Lance looked up to find Kelly smiling sweetly at her daughter. �She is beautiful Kelly. You did so well with her.�
�Thank you Lance. And thank you for agreeing to be her Godfather. Joey told me you weren�t sure it would be a good idea, but you are going to be like a father to her anyway considering your and Joey�s relationship. You might as well have a title to go along with it.� The smile on Kelly�s face convinced Lance she was sincere and was finally at peace with the relationship between he and Joey.
�I would do anything to protect and love them both Kelly. I promise.� The two stared intently in each other�s eyes as Joey and Brianna looked on.
* * * * *
�Oh my God, Joey!� Lance exclaimed as he heard Joey�s yell of pain. He rushed to Joey�s side to see his leg trapped in the door. �Someone release this thing!� Lance reigned in his emotions and calmly assessed the situation as the door was released and several of them pulled Joey out of the way. It was Lance who put pressure on the leg to stop the bleeding as much as possible and incurred Joey�s pain-filled anger.
�Lance that fucking hurts! Let go!�
�We need to keep pressure on it Joey. Just hold on until the paramedics get here.� His voice devoid of all emotion as he fought to keep his own panic in check.
�Mr. Bass, we�ve got it now. You did a great job.� The paramedic said as he took over and prepared Joey to be transferred to the hospital.
No one was surprised when Joey asked Lance to accompany him in the ambulance.
* * * * *
�The CD comes out tomorrow, you nervous?� Joey asked the man curled up in his arms who just nodded his response. �It doesn�t matter if we break our record you know. No matter what happens tomorrow, or next week, or next year with our careers I will be here beside you. We will face it all side-by-side. I love you Lance.�
�I love you Joey.� Hugging the older man close, Lance continued. �I just wish they wouldn�t put the pressure on us in the first place. Why can�t we just do what we love and what the fans enjoy? Why do they have to base our whole futures on what people do during this one week?�
�It doesn�t matter what they think Lance. What matters is what we know. We know we are a group and we love each other whether we sell one CD or five million CD�s. We know we worked hard and came up with good material. Material which stretches our limits further then we have before. I know I love you and no matter what that will never end. No matter what Lance, we are in this together.�
Lance�s face slowly transformed as a grin grew and he reached up to brush his lips with Joey�s softly. �Thank you for making this the best year of my life. Thank you for always being here and knowing when I need you to talk me down. Most of all, thank you for you. I can�t believe what a difference a year has made.�