"Whenever You Call" Chapters 41 - 45

(~) Part 41 (~)

“Oh, NO! This is terrible. Our families - they were expecting us! You guys have flights to catch, too...” Megan was exasperated. “We gotta get in touch with them!” She ran to the phone and found that it was already dead.

“POOP!! NOW what are we gonna do?” She asked, somewhat hysterical, returning to the group. Chris put his arm around her and gave her a little reassuring squeeze.

“Well, nothing for now, THAT’S for sure. Actually, wait - I actually HAVE my cell phone with me this time!! Maybe we can get through to SOMEone and they can call everyone else for us. We’re the closest to Chris’s family now. Wanna try?” Justin proudly produced his phone, happy to have it. ‘The LAST time I needed it, it wasn’t there. Thank GOD I have it this time,’ he thought, remembering the night of the crash so clearly.

“Yeah, it’s worth a shot. Gimme...” Chris took the cell and dialed his mother’s home number. “It’s ringing - not clear at all - but I should be able to get the message across.” He waited another few rings, and then, finally, Beverly picked up.

“Mommy! I know you can hardly understand me, but I just need to tell you this before we get cut off. We’re stuck here at the cabin. It’s snowing like crazy and there’s no way we’re gettin’ out any time soon. PLEASE, call the guys’ parents and the girls’ as well. Their numbers are in my address book. Merry Christmas and I love you.” Chris rushed to say.

About all Bev got out was: “All right, Dear. I will - be careful, I love you too, and Merry Ch...”, before the signal was cut off.

Chris looked at the phone for a minute before he finally put it down. “You guys are great...but I wanted to see my family so badly...” He said with a hint of sadness.

“Me too,” the group agreed with down turned heads.

Amy to the rescue again with her bubbling optimism: “Guys, I know I always say this...but you know we’re gonna make the best of this situation. We’ll make our own Christmas! We can find a tree, and decorate it with random things, and we’ll just have a good ol’ time. There’s even a small piano in the study...we could make it even more ‘Christmas-y’ and have some carols or something. Being sad about it ain’t gonna get us anywhere - you know that!” She looked at the group with the biggest smile possible.

Lance just laughed and hugged her around her slightly enlarged waist. “That’s what I love about you...you always can look on the bright side of anything!” He gave her a little squeeze. “Wow,” he joked, “there’s a little more to love every time I hug you!” He patted her protrusion lightly with a giggle.

Amy retorted: “Yeah, well, I hope you’re still saying that when I’m nine months and I’m the size of a small European country...”

“I will, you know I will. And you’ll be the most beautiful small country there ever was...” He said sweetly.

“Oh, GAG me...” Jen said with a kidding smile as she playfully stuck her finger down her throat.

BOTH Amy and Lance responded by simply sticking out their tongues and laughing.

“ANYway, so what are we gonna do to occupy us?” Joey inquired.

“Well, we brought a bunch of games and stuff - we could play some. Maybe if it slows a little, we can go out and find a tree to cut down and tote in here. I don’t know about that, though...it looks pretty viscous out there.” Caroline looked outside again and raised her eyebrows at the heavy snowfall and the swirling wind.

“Who’s up for some MONOPOLY!!” Chris said, bouncing up and down in his spot. “I’m the wheel-barrow, I’m the wheel-barrow!!!” He stated a little too excitedly.

“Uh, OK...” Kristin said with a kidding wink. She thought for a minute but then said out loud. “But we have too many people to play. You can only have up to six per game.”

“Looks like we’re gonna have to do teams then...” Megan suggested.

“Yeah, I guess...” JC added, knowing that he was going to be put with Kristin - NOT the most comfortable of situations. He knew that he still cared for her so much, but he couldn’t seem to break his pride long enough to go crawling back to her. ‘SHE needs to come to ME,’ he decided. ‘Yeah, that’s it. I don’t have to do that groveling shi...’

“Earth to JC? You OK?” Justin waved in front of his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine!” He said cheerfully. “Actually, how ‘bout we EAT something first. I’m FRIGGIN’ hungry!!”

“Omigod! I completely forgot about eating!” Jen said with a laugh. “Yeah, we could have some sandwiches first, and then we’ll play. We gotta be sparing, though. Who knows how long this food’s gonna have to last.” She said completely seriously. Luckily, they had brought enough to feed a LARGE army, but they still wanted to be safe.

After a round of turkey and ham sandwiches, the group settled happily into their positions on the floor of the great room. Caroline laid down on the floor with Joey behind her, Jen sat in Justin’s lap, Megan laid her head on Chris’s thigh, Amy sat between Lance’s legs and leaned on his chest - and JC sat as FAR away from Kristin as possible without looking suspicious. They soon forgot all their problems, though, as a heated game of Monopoly began. They played well into the later hours, issuing their own denominations of money into the hundreds of thousands, creating the ‘high-rise’ which was one step ABOVE a motel, making up new street names in a new area of town - the ‘projects’ (where streets with names like “Afro-Puff Place”, “Jheri-Curl Circle”, “Trailer Park Way” and “White-Trash Boulevard” could be bought for the whopping price of $10 each), and numerous other Chris rules.

They were having a great time until they finally stopped after they felt their stomachs grumble again - it was near 8:00. A small meal was prepared quickly. They all looked outside again, and were almost excited to see that there was well over a foot on the ground. It looked like it was slowing a little, so they hoped to be able to make it outside the next day. After lots of small talk, some charades, and a few rounds of battle games on the PlayStation, they decided to retire around 11:30. They were actually looking forward to ‘Christmas-ifying’ the cabin the next day - maybe this Christmas wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

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(~) Part 42 (~)

Everyone had been having a very restful night’s sleep...except for Kristin. She had been tossing and turning from the moment her head hit the pillow. She was more confused than ever over the whole JC issue. She knew for a fact that he had completely stopped seeing that girl, Michelle. But at this point, he was acting like he didn’t care at all. His attitude had turned from shy and unreadable to being cold and almost rude. He hardly even spoke to her during their game of Monopoly - every time she even asked him the simplest of questions, he would just shrug or grunt some sort of a response. ‘Why? I thought he still cared...but I’m too late. I waited too long - he’s over me...I’ve thrown away such a good thing.’ She silently kicked herself over and over as the night progressed.

Finally, she couldn’t take the sleeplessness any longer. Kristin slowly heaved herself out of bed and made her way down to the kitchen for some warm milk. After heating some, she turned on some very low music to a soft rock station she enjoyed at night. They always did long distance dedications and on-air apologies after 10:00, so she settled back on the couch and began listening. They were in the middle of a commercial, but Ken the DJ came on a minute later.

“Hello, B103 listeners! We’d now like to share with you a heartfelt letter we received from Pamela in Virginia. It’s a long distance wish for her lost love, Matthew, to forget their past and come back to her. Here’s what she writes:

~ Dear Ken-
My name is Pamela, and I’d writing this as a dedication to the most wonderful man ever, Matthew. I want him to hear my plea and come back to me. I met Matt about nine months ago, and it was an instant attraction. We fell in love so quickly and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. However, we lived a great distance away from each other, and after time, we grew apart. Both of us tried to move on after we felt that a break up was the only way...but only he was successful. I don’t think he’s with anyone at the moment, but he just doesn’t seem to care about me like I do about him. I still love him so much, but he’s so far away from me now, both physically and emotionally. Matthew, if you are listening tonight, I’m playing this song for you - I hope that you will hear it and know how much I wish it were two-sided.. This is your song - know it’s the truth. I’m begging you - tell me that you still care - tell me that everything will be all right. Ken, will you please play ‘Somewhere Out There’ for me so that maybe my prayers for Matthew will come true. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Pamela ~

Pamela, here’s your long distance dedication on 103.1, WXYU.”

At this point, Kristin was crying steadily. ‘Why did I have to hear that? How much WORSE could that timing have been?!? I could very well have written that dedication myself!’ The song came on and Kristin just laid her head back as the tears ran rivers down her cheeks.

‘JC, please...please hear me. Whatever’s holding you back...please forget it. I love you...I love you...’ She said over and over again until she finally fell asleep on the couch from exhaustion. She would have stayed there all night if it hadn’t been for Justin who had to go to the bathroom and spotted her on his way back. He scooped her up gently and put her back in the room where she was staying. As he laid her down and pulled the down comforter up around her neck, he noticed some drying tear streaks on her rosy cheeks. He knew immediately why she had been crying - he could see it in her eyes every time JC spoke. He kissed her gently on the forehead:

“He’ll come around, Kris. He’ll see how wonderful you are and he’ll be back...I promise.” He slipped silently out of the room and returned to his spot next to Jen until the next morning. He decided he’d keep the incident a secret. ‘Kristin needs to figure it out for herself - it’s between her and JC. Well, that’s if that stubborn guy ever decides to swallow his pride and realize he’s losing the best thing in his life.’

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(~) Part 43 (~)

The ten young people decided to sleep in that following morning. No one rose until around 10:30 or so, and even Joey and lazy-butt Jen stayed in bed until after 11:00. The snow had slowed to a light flurry at this point, but there was a good eighteen inches or more on the ground. Lance’s 4-Runner and JC’s Jeep looked like nothing more than snow-covered hills out in the driveway...they weren’t seeing civilization until at least the next day.

Not much was really accomplished in the early morning. After lunch, though, the whole group went to work, trying their best to make the cabin as festive as possible. Joey, Justin, and Chris went to find a decent tree, and JC and Lance went looking for holly, berries, and sprigs of spruce needles. Meanwhile, the girls stayed inside making garland and ornaments out of everything possible.

By nine o’clock that evening, the great room was looking pretty darn good. There was a seven foot Christmas tree propped up by two couches - it was covered by popcorn garland, paper icicles, ashtray, necklace, and scrunchie ornaments, and topped off with Joey and Justin’s necklaces as a ‘star’ on the uppermost branch. They had all found gag-presents and wrapped them up with newspaper; they were now perched under the tree waiting for morning. While the girls were in the kitchen using up all of Caroline’s family’s spare foodstuffs to make cookies, the guys were busily running around the great room, hanging the chunks of pine branches and holly that they had picked up. They even hung Joey’s socks from the fireplace. When you don’t have much - you make the best of what you DO have(!)

They retired early that evening, eager to share Christmas with the greatest group of friends they could ask for. Right before that, though, the guys sang one song for the girls - the most appropriate of them all. It was difficult for the ‘non-couplers’, though, but JC at least sucked up his pride long enough to agree to the song. (Kristin SWORE she saw him sing the extra verse directly to her, and it looked like there was almost a sense of sadness in his baby blues - ‘PLEASE let me know what you’re thinking, JC!’ she silently pleaded with him the whole time). Kristin, herself, took all the energy she had inside to keep a smile on her face the whole time. The other eight just shared a festive, love-filled, musical moment before turning in.

The ten awoke early like a bunch of little children. The day was terrible - it was so gray and bleak outside that it almost looked like night-time - but that didn’t matter. It was Christmas, and nothing could have taken away the joy that it brought . Being prepared for a day full of their ‘presents’, carols with JC or Amy at the keys, and overall relaxation and happiness got their butts out of bed. A white Christmas with loved ones was more than they could have asked for. They snuck out to the great room one by one and waited quietly, but oh-so-impatiently, until the others joined them.

After a breakfast of chocolate-chip cookies, they decided to tackle the gag gifts. Each person took a turn opening their one present that had been decided on by most of the rest of the group:

~ Megan received a huge bag of Fuzzy Peaches (her candy!) that Chris had found stashed in her suitcase.
~ Chris received a dog leash that Jen had found on the porch - one with spikes and all - for all those times his hyperness was enough to drive a person to insanity.
~ Jen received her diary wrapped up -
~ Justin received the tape from Amy’s recorder that he had saved. Both items that the couple received were responsible for bringing them back together.
~ Caroline received a long string taped to a wooden spoon - to serve as a whip to keep the ‘Italian Stallion’ in line(!)
~ Joey received a pair of sunglasses with paper taped as blinders on the side - for any time he got the urge to look at any female besides Caroline.
~ Kristin received a bottle of bubble bath - to match her cheerful, bubbly personality exactly.
~ JC received a pillow - does this one really need an explanation?
~ Amy received a HUGE bra that the group had found - Caroline believed it had belonged to her Grandmother when they visited. It was for “once the milk started coming in...” They all joked.
~ Lance - last but not least - received a huge, ECONOMY sized bottle of Advil - for the endless craving errands for fried chicken, pickles, and Snicker’s bars he was going to be running, the screaming and beatings he was going to receive during the delivery, and the migraines he’d be suffering from after countless sleepless nights, diaper changings, and help with feedings.

They all had a good laugh as each present was revealed. They then spent the afternoon outside, once it had cleared, having snowball fights and just basically acting like eight-year olds. Topping off the late afternoon with well-deserved hot chocolate, a small feast was prepared soon after for Christmas dinner.

The most magical moments were just beginning, though. It had gotten dark at this point, and they turned all the lights off and lit a bunch of candles. They gathered around the keyboard in the study and sang Christmas carols the rest of the night as a fire blazed nearby. Amy and JC took turns playing all the best traditional ones - ‘The First Noel’, ‘Away in a Manger’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘What Child Is This?’, etc. The guys blessed the girls with the entire a’capella version of ‘O Holy Night’ - they even busted out a few verses of their own songs such as ‘Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays’, ‘Under My Tree’, and ‘The Only Gift’. They prepared to retire soon after with smiles on their faces - it looked as if they’d be able to pack it up tomorrow - they had heard the unmistakable sound of plows up and down the streets all evening. It turned out to be one of the most memorable and lovely Christmas’s ever for the ten friends. They ended the evening with some group hugs and Christmas prayers and blessings.

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(~) Part 44 (~)

The next few weeks were rather uneventful for the group. They spent New Year’s Eve together, but they somewhat did their own thing after that. It was so great to see the boys back together again, though. Having their ‘own’ time was almost a good thing - it gave them a chance to forget their differences even more. The girls knew all was good when Justin actually made a move to gather the other four guys for a few b-ball games down at the courts. He actually called Joey before he contacted Lance or Chris - definitely a great sign.

On the other hand, the JC/Kristin situation had not progressed whatsoever. Actually, it had moved in the other direction. JC was becoming more and more distant as the hours he spent alone turned into days and even weeks. Although he always attempted a ‘macho/I don’t care’ front, he continually had an undertone of sadness to his words and actions. He was quite cold - which was not like him. Most of the group believed that he was covering his true emotions, but as of yet, he hadn’t opened to anyone.

Kristin wasn’t handling the distance too well. She missed JC more than ever, but she couldn’t read into him at all. His iciness was overwhelming at times - he would answer her shortly and almost arrogantly whenever she addressed him: “I don’t CARE...” when asked what he wanted to drink; “Whatever...I’m fine.” when asked if he was hungry; “Why WOULD I BE? Geez...Leave me alone!” when asked if was upset over something.

Whenever he was asked if he was OK, JC would brush off the question like it was ridiculous. Afterwards, though, he would always hang his head once the questioner turned away - ‘Why can’t I just tell them? Why can’t I be strong? I need to get this out...’ The issue just ate away inside the 24 year-old’s body; day after day he prayed for the strength to face his problems - every day would pass into night as another chance to spill slipped through his fingers. The only solace he ever found was in writing and the music he listened to. He wrote everything imaginable - poetry, lyrics, letters...this was his escape - a way to vent privately. The vast array of music he listened to soon turned into one song - it was something of an anthem - JC’s theme song. He listened to it non-stop...it WAS his life and his emotions all rolled into one.

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The pregnancy was progressing on or close to schedule. Amy was turning into a small house - the two little one’s were growing QUITE well. The doctor already clocked them in at two pounds each, which was great for twins - and especially being only around seventeen or eighteen weeks. She was eating up a storm - poor Lance could practically drive the route to the convenience store with his eyes closed. He never had a complaint, though, and he couldn’t have been more supportive...everything she needed and more was at her service as soon as he could humanly produce/cook/buy it - and always with a smile. Also, his fatherly instincts were already emerging. He was protective almost to the point of craziness sometimes - she wasn’t allowed to be on her feet for more than an hour at a time, he had her stop taking classes for the spring semester to reduce her stress load, no one was allowed to rough-house around her - he would throw himself in front of her with shouts of “Watch the pregnant lady!” and “Careful...you’re gonna hurt my little angels!”. He was really getting excited about welcoming the babies into the world, but Amy could also tell that he was getting extremely nervous as well. The workload around the house was getting pretty overwhelming...until one day when they couple got a little visit.

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Amy had been laying down on the couch - Lance was vacuuming the bedrooms - when she heard a knock at her door. She hoisted her big ol’ self up and opened it slowly. In front of her stood a pretty young girl - one that she didn’t recognize, though.

“Hello. Um, can I help you?” Amy asked cheerfully, but somewhat confused.

“Hi! Are you Amy?” The girl asked.

“Yes...I hate to sound rude, but...could I ask who you are?” She inquired with a giggle.

She returned the giggle. “That’s OK, I don’t expect you to know who I am...we’ve never met! My name’s...”

“KYLIE!” Lance had heard the speaking over the hum of the Dirt Devil and entered the living room to see who the extra voice belonged to.

Amy just kinda looked back and forth between the two with an even more confused expression.

After a brief hug, Lance introduced Kylie as being one of his oldest friends - and the one who counseled him when he was so unsure.

“Oh, I see! I’ve heard SO many wonderful things about you - and I can’t thank you enough - you obviously said SOMEthing right to this guy!” Amy joked.

“I guess so!” Kylie returned.

“So...were you just in the area or something?” Lance inquired.

“Actually...well, kinda, um, no - I put off my Peace Corps so I could come up here for a little while. I don’t wanna intrude or anything, but I thought that maybe, you know, if you want...if you ever, well, needed anything...like help cleaning or shopping or other girl stuff...maybe I could help out a little? If you don’t want me, that’s JUST fine - I’ll understand. Um, if you DO want me, I’ll stay in a hotel and just be around if you need anything. I thought that...I’m sorry if I sound like I’m butting in...I just...”

“Kylie, you are amazing. That is the sweetest thing ever...I can’t believe you postponed you plans for me and Lance!” Amy couldn’t believe the sincerity and generosity of her offer. “I don’t want to bother YOU...but GOD knows there’s a LOT that goes on around her...a little help for Lance’s sake would be SO welcomed!”

Lance produced an exhausted but relieved smile. “Kylie, you’re too much. This is wonderful...I don’t mind if you stay...well, Amy, it’s up to you...”

She smiled. “Oh, of course...Girl, you are staying HERE! I’m not going to put you up in a motel when I have an extra bedroom with your name on it! Thank you, thank you so much...” Amy hugged the sweet girl.

“You’re SO welcome! Thank YOU - I’d love to be a part of this so much. I promise, I’ll stay out of your way - but whenever you need ANYthing, you just give a holler. I’ll be in the bedrooms...” She disappeared with her bags into the master bedroom before Amy or Lance could speak another word. The vacuum cleaner was whizzing within a minute or so. She was exactly what the worn out boy needed - as usual, she was always there when he needed her. And now, she was there to help out Amy as well. She’d prove to be the key to sanity in the lives of a young couple expecting twins.

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(~) Part 45 (~)

The hardest part was in front of Lance and his band mates now - it was time to talk to management. Lou was, of course, NOT happy, but he had been somewhat OK with the time they spent apart. (They guys were quite surprised, actually.) There wasn’t anything he could do about the fact that his most popular act hated each other’s guts - he had explained it to the public as just some recuperation time that they desperately needed and also as a time to begin considering a new CD or even the movie rumors.

At this point, though, he was thrilled to hear that they were back on speaking terms - he was anxious to get them touring (and making HIM money) again. It wasn’t that easy, though - not with the babies now. THAT was what was worrying the five guys. Lance wanted to be with the band so much - he missed performing terribly. But also, he needed to be with Amy and his children more than anything - that was his main concern. Just how he was going to pull everything off was the real question. He was worried beyond belief that Lou was going to simply flip his lid - and he was about to find out. He and the rest of the guys had an appointment in minutes with Lou himself.

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The five guys entered the office gingerly. Lou looked up from his paperwork and produced a huge smile. “My favorite boys! Alrighty...looks like we can get this show back on the road - literally!” He joked in his (usual) ridiculously corny manner.

He was the only one laughing. “It’s not so easy, Lou.” Lance said with his head down.

“Huh? What do you mean? WHAT’S not so easy?!?” He said, getting huffy already.

Lance took a deep breath before beginning. “Well, remember how we made strides talking about that girlfriend issue? We said that it’d be all right if we had girlfriends and we actually mentioned them. That’s great...but what happens when...when your girlfriend gets pregnant...” He shut his eyes and sunk into his chair, almost as if expecting a physical blow from Lou.

Instead of exploding like the five guys had anticipated, though, he just sat there in silence, wringing his pudgy hands together and looking down at his lap.

“Lou...?” Joey finally broke the silence.

“Yeah...I’m here. I...” It was his turn to sigh this time. He shook his head and stood up with his back facing the guys. He appeared to be looking over his platinum records on the wall, but he began speaking in a slow and deliberately even tone, almost as if he was holding himself back from committing some form of violence. “When did this happen, Lance?”

“October, Lou...my girl’s four and a half months. She’s keeping the babies, so that’s not an option. We knew that all along.”

Still turned away, Lou continued. “So, if you know the answer to everything, which you seem to Mr. BASS, what are you gonna do about it? You know about the terms of the contract...”

Lance looked at the back of Lou with a fire in his eyes. The volatility in his voice was enough to make him finally turn around. “I am gonna do whatever it takes to be with Amy. I love her and I love my babies. Yes, I said babies, in case it didn’t register before...she’s having twins - that’s a small miracle in itself. Damnit, LOU! This isn’t easy for me!!” He stood up and slammed his fist down on the desk with a loud thud.

After he calmed down, he continued slowly: “Anyway, ‘NSync is a part of me - it runs through my blood...but this is my family we’re talking about now. I know the contract says I’m bound to ‘NSync, but this takes precedence...this is my life. You have to understand that.”

Lou looked at him squarely in the eyes and shook his head in that disappointed, fatherly way. “I know what that’s like; I have a family, too, Lance. But...how could you let this happen? Why did you do this to me and the other four guys?”

Lance stood up and yelled: “Do you think I did this on PURPOSE?!? This wasn’t a punishment for you or the other guys!! It just HAPPENED...you can never be sure when you’re dealing with sex...there’s no guarantees. Jesus, Lou...you’re always thinking about yourself...your GODDAMNED self...and that’s IT!!” He was about to throw something - but he finally snapped back into reality.

Again, he had to wait to calm himself. He wiped a bead of sweat off his upper lip and then hung his head. “But now it’s on us...and it’s not going away. We deal with the NOW, not the THEN. There’s no sense in trying to figure out WHY it happened. I’m sorry is did this to YOU...” There was sarcasm in his voice at this point. “And I’m sorry I did this to you, too.” He turned to the other four with a sincere nod of his head. They returned the nod and then Chris spoke.

“Lance, we understand that you’re sorry about this...and we’re not angry - we’re happy - we’ve told you that. BUT...none of us are willing to give up ‘NSync, either. We’re continuing this gig...” Chris sighed and spoke quietly now, “...with or without you.”

The thought of leaving something he loved as much as ‘NSync was like a dagger through the young boy’s heart. He knew he’d have to face the decision eventually, but he just kept putting it off. “I don’t WANT to leave...but there’s no way I can commit to touring anytime during the next year or so. After that, I could possibly go back, but I’d HAVE to have Amy and my children with me. I AM going to raise them...I REFUSE to let Amy do it alone. They’re my flesh and blood, and I’m gonna be a part of their life.”

The whole time the guys were discussing this, Lou was silent. The gears were turning slowly in his head as a plan began to take shape. Finally, he shot his head up and looked at the guys with a serious expression on his face. It broke into a frustrated scream. “AHHHHH...I am angry, Lance - I’m furious, actually! This breaks the contract and is just so damn difficult! The legal part here is ridiculous. You could and SHOULD have been SO much more careful...this makes things SO complicated for all of us. How’s the public gonna deal with a member of ‘NSync being a FATHER?!? They already know that all of you have girlfriends or did or whatever - but CHILDREN?!?” He sighed, and looked straight at Lance with a pained expression.

He then continued softly. “Well, but like you said, it’s either Lance the father being a member of ‘NSync or Lance the father and that’s it. I want you to still be a part of ‘NSync and I think the guys do, too. Without you, the group isn’t complete - those concerts without you during your illness in the spring were a disaster. I think I’ve got it, though. We can keep ‘NSync...AND we can keep you a part of it...even if you are a father.”

“Can I stay with Amy and the babies?” Lance asked as his head popped up.

“Yeah, you can, actually. This is what we do: we do the movie now. We’ve had all the plans for it, it was just a matter of finding the right time to do it. We were planning on shooting in New York, so we just bus you guys up there for the day, and you can come back at night. We’ll drag it out so that whatever happens with the babies happens. Lance...we SHOULDN’T be catering to you, ‘cause you got us INTO this mess in the first place...” Lou said with a stern look; but then it slowly turned into a grin as he shook his head. “...BUT, you’re the daddy, so you’ll call the schedule. If we have to take off days here and there, or just shoot scenes without you, because you or Amy needs something - especially when the labor comes - that’s what we’ll do. Lance, we’re basically going on your green light. THEN, once the babies come, we’ll just play it by ear until the movie’s done. Afterwards, we’ll work something out - once the tikes are old enough - to get you guys back on the road where you belong. How does that sound?”

Lance was practically beaming. “It couldn’t sound ANY more perfect. Thanks SO much Lou. This is wonderful. But wait, what about moving the shoot to New Jersey? Then we wouldn’t have to go as far and I’d be able to spend even more time with Amy! Weren’t we originally going to shoot in Jersey anyway? We can see if that area is still available - that spot’s only about twenty minutes from Amy’s apartment.”

Lou looked promising. “Yeah, actually I forgot about that. I’ll get in touch with those people...that would work out even better. Would that make you happy, Your Highness?” He said with a laugh.

“That would make me extremely happy.” The smile was huge across his face as he turned to the four guys. “Is that OK with you? I’m sorry for all of this...”

“Oh, STOP with that apologizing crap! That’s great, Little Buddy! I’m so happy this is all working out...we couldn’t have ‘NSync without you...” Justin was up and hugging Lance with a brotherly embrace.

“Yeah, J’s right...we need you - and we got you! AND, you’ve got Amy and the babies, too!” Joey gave him a hug as well.

There was nothing but cheer that day as all the details were worked out. There was even more happiness when the news of the shoot came about a week later - the NJ site was still available. Now, there was just one more thing left for Lance...but that would come in due time.

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Onto the five chapters...
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