Hi, everyone. I am really sorry that it has taken me so long to get this short chapter out, but I have been more busy this week than I have ever been in my entire life (HONESTLY). My life should slow down a little bit in the next week or so, and I plan to have chapter 6 out as soon as my schedule allows it. I already have it halfway written, so, it really won't take much time. Thank you for being patient.
Disclaimer: This is a story of homosexual content involving the members of *NSYNC. To my knowledge, they are not gay, and I even hope they aren't (that would totally screw my chances). If this type of material offends you . . . don't read this. If you're too young . . . come back when you're older, or don't get caught.
Justin sighed and looked down at his little boy, who was now curled up against his chest, on the verge of sleep.
"Jet lag," he muttered.
Everyone was silent for a few moments, trying to take in all the information. JC on the other hand studied his best friend. Justin looked like he would make a good father. JC watched as Justin reached down and brushed a stray curl off Josh's forehead and let his fingers run down the little boy's baby soft cheek. JC couldn't help but smile. He knew Justin was a good father. He couldn't be anything but a good father.
JC continued to watch Justin, oblivious to the things and the people around him. The conversation, and planning fell on deaf ears.
"What do you think, JC?" Lance asked, referring to the conversation he and Joey were having. "JC?" he repeated when there was no reply. "JC," he said waving his hand in front of JC's face.
JC shied away from the sudden movement and looked up at Lance.
"What were you thinking about?" Lance asked softly.
JC looked back over at Justin holding his son and sighed.
"I was just thinking ... that Justin is a wonderful father," JC smiled.
Lance looked up and over at his friend. Justin was sitting cross-legged in the recliner with his son on his lap. The little boy was curled up against Justin's chest, holding onto his shirt with one little hand.
Justin was unaware of everyone else around him as he gingerly ran his fingers over Josh's baby soft cheek. He smiled as he moved his hand up to feel the medium blonde curls which appeared so much like his own.
Lance sighed and looked back down at JC, to find him staring again.
He chuckled and focused back on the conversation.
"...the first," Lance heard Angelique say.
"What was that?" he asked.
Angelique looked at him a smiled.
"Joshua and I are staying until the first of July," she repeated.
"Only till the first? That's only a week," Joey threw in.
"Yeah, are you going to be able to see our shows?" Chris asked.
"Shows?" Angelique echoed.
"Yeah. We're doing sort of a mini-three-show-type tour thing," Lance informed her. "Our first show is on the 30th."
All eyes turned back to Angelique awaiting her response.
"I don't see why not," she replied. "We came here to see you guys. I've never really seen you 'in action.'"
There were some general sounds of approval from the group, which quickly died down into silence.
"Why aren't you staying longer?" JC inquired, speaking for the first time.
Angelique stared at him silently for a moment, almost as if she were studying him. Lance looked down to see if JC noticed, only to find JC returnin g her stare.
Lance watched on unsure of what the two exchanged in the momentary glance. It was over as soon as it had begun, and Angelique answered his question.
"I have to get back. I'm still on vacation for another two weeks, but my parents are going to be vacationing in Rome when I get back. I have to watch their house. And, then, I have a job," she replied.
"What do you do?" JC asked.
Justin looked at JC curiously. He was being so hot and cold! What was his deal?! It was so irritating trying to figure out how he'd react to any given statement.
"I'm studying art at the university," Angelique stated a little surprised at his interest. " I work at an art gallery. It's a little shop on le Champs-Elysees ... it's work from many different people."
"Is any of your work for sale there?" JC pressed.
Angelique settled herself more comfortably on the edge of Justin's chair before responding.
"I have a few pieces up, but they're not for sale. I like to show my work, but most of what I do is very special to me," she explained.
"Do you have anything with you?" JC asked.
Angelique sighed.
"I have a sketchbook with me, but it's new, so I don't really have anything in it yet," she lied. Truth was, she had about five different sketchbooks with her, but she didn't want the guys to see the pictures, they were too ... personal.
Angelique looked down at Justin, holding, a now sleeping, Joshua. She leaned down close to Justin's ear.
"Do you think we should put Josh in a bed?" she suggested.
Justin smiled and nodded. He lifted Josh up, into his arms, and stood up.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to put Josh in bed," Justin announced.
"I'll do it," JC piped up. "I mean ... can I do it?" JC looked back and forth between Justin and Angelique, unsure of who he should be asking.
Justin and Angelique looked at each other, then back at JC.
"Sure, JC, you can take Josh," Justin said with a slight smile.
JC stood up and walked over to Justin. Holding his arms out cautiously, he took a sleeping Joshua into his arms. He was surprised at how light the little boy was. He stared at the toddler lying in his arms ... it was amazing. The little boy wore the same innocent smile that Justin always donned when he slept. JC looked up into the eyes of his best friend.
"He's so much like you, Justin," JC whispered with a smile.
Justin smiled. He reached up a hand and ran a finger across Josh's soft cheek. The little boy stirred slightly in JC's arms and turned to face his chest.
JC held the boy close to his body. He gave Justin a smile, then turned towards the stairs. He climbed the stairs slowly so as not to disturb the little boy.
JC walked into the guest bedroom at the top of the stairs. He shifted Josh into the crook of his arm and reached down to pull back the covers. He laid Josh gently down on the bed and covered him up with the blankets.
JC stood up and looked down at the little boy. After a moment of thought, he leaned down and planted a kiss on the baby's forehead.
"You're so much like your dad," he whispered. He ran a hand very softly over Josh's curly hair, letting his fingers linger on his cheek.
JC took a step back, taking one last look at Josh, he turned around and found himself face to face with Angelique.
"I was. . . I was just. . ." JC stuttered.
Angelique calmed him with a smile.
"It's okay," Angelique said softly. She peered around JC to look at Josh. JC followed her gaze, looking over his shoulder.
"He really is amazing," JC sighed.
Angelique looked up at him, cocking her head to the side.
"You know," Angelique said, "you are very confusing."
JC gave her a curious look.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, I just can't read you. I mean, all Justin has ever told me about you is how close you guys are and how great you are, and then, when he comes to tell you something personal, you blow up at him. I expected you to be suppo rtive. I expected you to be understanding. I expected you to be his friend," Angelique admonished, punctuating every word angrily. "I'd be surprised if he ever told you anything important again."
"And now, you act like nothing happened. JC, do you know how much Justin is hurting simply because you can't control your emotions?!"
JC nodded unhappily. He looked down at his feet, but Angelique lifted his chin so that he was looking into her eyes. Her face was serious, but her eyes were soft.
"I'm sorry, but I love Justin. He means as much to me as Joshua does, and I just don't understand how someone who loves him just as much can be so cruel and uncaring," Angelique whispered.
She took a deep breath and continued.
"Please don't be angry . . . with yourself or me. I just want you to be more aware of how you influence him," Angelique cautioned. She gave a small smile which, in turn, made JC smile slightly.
"I'll be careful with him. . . I promise," JC replied.
Angelique smiled and gave JC a reassuring hug. She then turned and walked out of the room leaving JC alone.
He sighed.
He really did care about Justin and he honestly wasn't sure why he had reacted the way he did. He hadn't realized it at the time, but he know knew how much his opinions mattered to Justin.
'I should have known,' JC thought to himself.
TBC. . .
All Questions and Comments at DivaKitT@aol.com
I'm sorry this section is so short, but I had to end here. The next chapter is longer, and there's some trauma... Anyway, I will try and write the next chapter and have it out tomorrow.