So far our luck was going good with Tristan. He slept from that last feeding at 3 am until the following morning at 7:30 am. I got up this time and took Tristan downstairs with me. I changed his diaper, which obviously wasn't gonna be the highlight of parenthood, but it gave me motivation to potty train him as early as possible. Then I warmed up a bottle and sat down with him on the couch and turned on the TV and watching some MTV to get me ready for the day.
"Hi I'm John Norris with another MTV news break. Today in the news major concert updates. First to the Backstreet tour where several shows have been canceled due to an accident that occurred over the weekend. Group members Nick Carter and AJ McLean are resting in a New York hospital for a few more days after suffering minor concussions along with some bumps and bruises. Make up dates for these missed days will be announced later this week....Pop princess Britney Spears tour is soon to be winding down after several days on the road. MTV caught up with Britney recently at one of her shows....
"So your tour is slowly coming to a hault are you looking forward to your break off or are you going to miss your everyday routine."
"Of course I'm looking forward to it, but yea at the same time I'm going to miss getting out there and seeing my fans cause they're the best. But it's only going to be a really brief break a little less than 2 weeks actually because then I'm going to be out and about promoting and having autograph signings all over promoting my new album 'Oops I did it again' which will be out May 16th. But the time I do have I'm going to go home to Louisiana and spend time with my family, friends, and my boyfriend which is going to be some major catching up time."
"That's great. Enjoy your break and best of luck with your album."
"Oh thank you."
"Finally, *NSync is preparing for their big 'No Strings Attached' Tour set to kick off in 2 weeks with some warmup tours in their home of Orlando. But fans didn't find all 5 guys on stage the past 2 nights. The night of May 3rd what started with 5 ended with 4 when *NSync's own Lance Bass left their concert in Orlando to head to the hospital where within a few hours Lance and his wife greeted new son Tristan Hunter Bass at nearby Orlando hospital. Fans will be seeing Justin, Joey, Chris, and JC performing alone again tonight but rest assure he'll be back out tomorrow. Shortly after *NSync will be kicking off their summer tour which will last into July. That's all for now. Stay tuned to MTV for update information every hour at 10 to the hour right here on MTV or log on to mtv.com or AOL keyword MTV."
"Well look at that. The whole world knows you already and you're not even a week old." I said as Tristan took his last sips. I held him as careful as I could, I wanted everything to be perfect. I rocked him gently to sleep and took him back up to his crib and turned on the monitor so I could hear him while I sat downstairs. Once I hit the couch again it didn't take long for me to soon be curled up in a blanket and asleep.
At 9:30 Lance came downstairs. He lifted my head up and sat down and placed my head on his lap.
"Hi, how'd you sleep?" I asked.
"Surprisingly good."
"Yea me too but I'm so tired now."
"Did you get the baby up yet?"
"Yea I brought him down, changed him, fed him and he fell asleep not too long ago so I took him up. We've already made MTV as of this morning."
"Really?"
"Yup, along with Nick Carter and AJ McLean getting in a car accident and the end of Britney's tour. They were talking about the other 4 having to perform till tomorrow and then your summer tour. And of course me having the baby and the baby's name and all that stuff. Quite an eclectic little mix this morning"
"I'll say. The baby's well known already. So what's on the agenda for today?"
"Well around 11 my Aunt wants us to come over for awhile, so we don't have to have my dad and everyone here again. So the three of us are gonna go over and then my dad, claudia, and Seth are already there, then my cousin David is coming over and Alana is coming over for awhile and she said she bringing Jordan along too. I guess you could call it a small get together."
"Ok. Why don't you go get your shower and get ready and all and I'll keep an ear open for the baby." He suggested.
"All right, I won't be too long."
It was 11:15 and we were running late all 3 of us were in the car ready to back out of the driveway and go to Lindsay's. Since we had left 25 minutes later than we should've we didn't get at Lindsay's till 11:35 and everyone was already there.
"Hi, sorry we're kinda late. We must have spent 10 minutes checking that the baby seat was in right." I said meeting Lindsay at the front door.
"It's ok dear, safety is a prime concern when you have little ones. Here let me take that from you." She said taking the diaper bag. "Where's the baby?"
"Oh Lance is getting him out. He's really taking care of Tristan a lot. I guess it's that male bondage thing. Especially since he's only got 2 weeks with him until they tour for 2 months."
"That's gonna be hard."
"Yea, oh listen there are some bottles in the bag could you stick them in the refrigerator so they don't go bad."
"Sure."
"All right we're here now." Lance said as he walked through the front door.
I smiled and we walked into the living area where everyone was watching tv. We all sat and gabbed and passed Tristan around again and again. Around 3 Jordan and Alana had to leave to go to soundcheck for the warm up concert that night. The rest of us had dinner there and then at 7:15 went home and later turned in for the night .
The following day was Lance's day back for the final day of the warm up tour.
"I've gotta be there at 2, what time is it now?" Lance asked
"It's almost 1:15."
"Are you going to come along?"
"Well... I don't think so. I don't want to drag the baby there and all."
"Come on, plus you know the guys haven't seen the baby yet and all the others will want to see him too. Also you've got the dressing room you can take care of the baby in."
"Well, all right I guess so."
"Great, you ready to go?"
"Let me get some bottles and get the diaper bag ready."
~Just inside the backstage portion of the venue~
Lance was carrying Tristan as we made our way through the backstage area. We came upon a group of wardrobe people first including Kim.
"Oh my lord will you look here." Kim said "Sweety come here" she said giving me a hug.
"Look at how adorable he is. What's his name?"
"Tristan Hunter." I replied
"Isn't that dear. May I hold him?"
"Sure." Lance said handing him over.
"I'm so proud of you two. You couldn't be blessed with a better child."
"Awe thanks." I replied. "So how have you been?"
"OH busy busy busy. Gotta keep these guys on their toes and in and out of this clothing in no time so they can get on stage and keep the crowd going. I can tell you've got another little star on your hands here. He'll be out there breaking some hearts."
"He's gonna take after his father a lot I think."
"So where are the guys at?" Lance asked.
"Umm last time I heard from them they said they were hitting the food table so probably down that way."
"Thanks Kim. We'll see you later on." I said as we walked off to find the others. Sure enough they were busy stuffing their faces down the hall.
"Well look who it is." I said as we approached them.
"Hey guys." Joey said. Taking a break from eating to come over. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great now that this little guy came out."
"That's great. What a cute little kid. It's Tristan right."
"Yup"
The other guys came over and held the baby too. Of course Justin was the pro out of the four.
"So how's Randy, Justin?"
"Oh he's great. I just hope Tiffany will be ok when we hit the road."
"Yea it's gonna be a tough 2 months but then you'll all be back for a little while." I said.
Later that night...
The concert had gone great and the audience was glad to see Lance back out there again. This final warm up show ensured the 5 of them that they were ready to hit the road for the US tour in two weeks.
The next 2 weeks were spent quietly at home soaking up all we could of each other. Two months was going to be an eternity and I knew how much Lance was going to miss being away from the baby for 2 months since babies grow so quickly. Hopefully it wouldn't be so harsh. The midpoint of their tour landed them in Maryland so I was going to go up and visit my family and friends for the weekend while he would be in the area so I could surprise him.
Our time was up and they had to leave, So with a kiss and of course a few tears on my part he was gone. So there was me and Tristan all alone in the house but we were going to be just fine.
The days were ticking away and I was enjoying spending this time with just the baby but I deeply missed Lance even though he called once in the morning and once after their show and the emails and all that we were able to send. Throughout May and June my aunt and David came over a lot to keep me company. We had conversations about so many things but one conersation really stuck with me....
"So what are you going to do career wise as Tristan starts to get older?" Lindsay asked.
"Well I really haven't thought I guess. I mean I want to get out there and do something I don't want to be a housewife for the rest of my life."
"That's good you want to get out there and have motivation."
"Yea I guess. I mean maybe I could try to get to college now and then and get my major in business and go from there. But right now I've gotta be free for the baby and get this part of my life settled."
"Well when the time comes I know you'll be ready for the challenge."
The days had gone by quickly but at the same time so slowly. Now here it was the final weeks of June and Tristan and myself took an early morning flight up to Maryland to see my family and friends and mainly Lance. At the airport Seth met us because my dad and Claudia were running behind with their wedding coordinator who was arranging their wedding for later on in the fall.
"So what time did you say they'd be home?" I asked.
"Oh about noon, why?"
"Oh I was just wondering because they said they'd watch Tristan so I could get everything perfect tonight.."
"Oh ok well they'll be home in time for that. So what's your plan?"
"Well..." I continued telling him about my special plan for tonight until a mere 15 minutes had passed and we were back at my house, well old house.
That afternoon around 4 I borrowed one of my dad's cars and went to pick up Kristin who was going with me so I didn't look like an idiot there all alone. Plus she could see Joey who she hadn't seen in quite some time. After I picked her up we went to this local restaurant where we use to hang out in high school and all the others did too. While we waited for our food people I hadn't seen in awhile started to appear. They all wanted to know what happened and where I was now a days. I told them how I moved to Florida and how I got married, got pregnant and had a baby and how I had come up to surprise Lance and wouldn't be in town too long.
Nearing 5:00 we got out of there and hurried off to the venue. Waiting at the side gate was Kim with my front and center seats and backstage passes for after the show. There was nothing to do now but get to our seats and wait for the night to begin.
"So why exactly do you have to have these seats?" Kristin asked.
"When we won those tickets 2 years ago these were the seats where my mom and me sat. The night I first met Lance. So if all goes as planned he'll see me right here and be surprised and then after the show we're going backstage and you can hang out with Joey for awhile and I can be with Lance. It'll work out ok won't it?"
"Oh definitely. How can you remember all these things you do?"
"When something is that special you can't forget it." I replied.
"So how late are we going to be here tonight?"
"It all depends. I already got the ok for Lance to come home with me tonight so he can see the baby and we can spend some time together and also they're off tomorrow and in town so it all works out. Why don't you get Joey to come home with you for the night. Your parents would be ok with that right?"
"OK with it? I don't think they care. My parents are like nevr home. They're always out of town half the time. This week they're trying to sell some products to people in Nebraska I think it is this week. Then next week they'll be in Hawaii or something and hey maybe they'll stop home for a day or so. Of course he can come over if he wants."
"Well we've certainly got room in the car so just let me know before we take off."
Time was ticking by and the opening acts were almost over. Thanks to my luck Jordan didn't see me or he would've probably blabbed to Lance and ruined it all.
Now at 8:30 *NSync was actually coming out to perform and I became so nervous. It's weird to be married to Lance and still feel like the screaming 13 year old with butterflies in my stomach at the same time. They started with their more upbeat tracks and then slowed the mood down and sat on steps they had on the stage and sang their hearts out. That's when the moment came. In the middle of a song while JC took over leads and everyone else was quite he was looking up and down the front rows and looked right at me. I smiled and shyly waved at him. There wasn't much he could do at the moment but smile back. Joey was sitting next to him and he slightly nudged him to look down front and he saw me and Kristin standing there waving again.
After their wardrobe change they all knew we were up front, so of course they put on a great show, not like they wouldn't have without us there. They ended appropriately with "Bye Bye Bye" and the venue quickly started to filter out. We waited till the area was clear and walked to the edge of the closed in area to one of the gaurds and showed him the passes. There by the steps that led up to the backstage area was Kim.
"Want to see your boys now huh girls?" She joked.
"You have no idea!" I said.
"Definitely." Kristen added.
There wasn't much of a backstage so quickly she directed us to Joey's dressing room and Lance's as well. Kristin walked right into Joey's because the door was wide open but I figured I'd be polite and knock before I walked into Lance's dressing room. He came to the door and flung it opened and I hugged him like I hadn't in a long time.
"Hey sweety. I couldn't miss this opportunity to come see you." I said.
"I had no idea you were going to show up."
"Of course I had to come. I figured I'd come stay with my dad for a weekend and see you at the place where we first met. In the same seats I had before. I've missed you so much." I said with another hug.
"I've missed you too. Where's Tristan?"
"Oh I wouldn't dare drag him here. My dad, Claudia, and Seth are watching him. Also since you have off tomorrow Kim suggested you can come home with me and see the baby and make up for some lost time. Only if you want to though." I joked.
"Yea, I want to."
"Well wrap things up and I think Joey is going to go with Kristin for the night so we've gotta get them and drop them by her house. We should get home right around 12 when Tristan's about to wake up."
He hurried around and got all that he needed and we got Kristin and Joey as well and snuck out the back. Luckily none of the fans were still around so we didn't have to dodge around people. We dropped Kristin and Joey off at her house and then headed home.
"Hey guys. You're just in time, he just started crying." Seth said.
"I'll get him." Lance said putting his stuff down that very moment and going up to my room where the crib was.
"I'm going to hit the sack now that you're home. Night Jen."
"Goodnight." I replied. I picked up the bag Lance had left and took it upstairs with me to my room.
"How's he doing?" I asked Lance as he rocked Tristan.
"I'm going to take him downstairs and get him a bottle, I can't believe how much he's grown."
"He's getting bigger by the day. Let's go ahead downstairs."
We sat up with the baby for an hour or so then put him to bed and came back downstairs to just talk. We talked every day he was away for 30 minutes to an hour but still had so much to talk about.
The following day was just beautiful outside so we packed the diaper bag and some other stuff along with the stroller in the car and went to this area of land my grandparents owned. It had tons of trees a pond, trails, and everything. It was a mini playground for me when I was growing up. That Saturday was a special "family day" for us and would be the last one for another month. He stayed one more night at my house then Sunday afternoon I had to take him back to the venue where the tour buses were at. Tristan and I said good-bye to Lance once again hoping this month would go faster than the one before.
The following Tuesday we returned back to Florida again. The days went by faster because I got together a lot with David, and Alana who had a new beau in her life, Jonny Lang. Kristin came down for 3 weeks and stayed with me. I thought it would be good for her since she's usually alone at her house anyways. Most of the time it was just us girls again, Alana, Kristin, and myself.
One night we had ourselves a sleepover/party at my house just the 3 of us. Between taking care of the baby we were talking and watching movies all night. After watching some romantic comedy movie Alana brought over we began talking.
"Wasn't that the best movie. True love, the kind me and Jonny have." Alana sighed.
"Oh yes, that week old love. It's adorable, how long is Jonny going to be around for. Forever like you said Jordan was going to be?" Kristin joked.
"Hey listen, this time I'm certain Jonny and I will be forever. Jordan and I...well... The age difference thing didn't work to well and he kinda was a playa and I had to dump him. "
"But I thought he dumped you." I said, trying to get the story straight.
"OK, so he did! Things just didn't work out ok! Geesh!"
"Things didn't work out with you and Chris either, someone has a lot of bad relationships." I joked but she took it as an insult.
"I'm sorry miss perfect! We can't all fine Mr. Right and be so in love like you in our first 17 years."
"Alana chill, I was kidding! I hope you and Jonny work out."I said on a final note.
A few times during Kristin's stay we were able to get together with Tiffany but it was so hard with both of us having kids so young. Also a few times on the weekend we got together with Erica but it was seldom cause while JC was away she decided to occupy herself by taking a few college courses over the summer so she wouldn't get bored and could get closer to earning her degree.
The final week of the tour came around and Kristen and myself were excited to see our men again.
"So Lance comes home Sunday, bet you're glad I'm leaving Saturday so you can celebrate when he comes home, if ya know what I mean." Kristin joked.
"Well I don't know about that being the first thing on our agenda but luckily I'm prepared now." I said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I went to the doctor and I told her we didn't want any more kids for a few years and we needed to take precautions so 2 weeks ago she put me on the pill so I don't have to worry about anymore lil Tristan's anytime soon."
"Way to plan. My mom put me on it like when I turned 15 and her and my dad started leaving town becuase they thought I'd go get myself pregnant or something like that."
"At least you're safe. So you're going to stay with Joey aren't you for like what 2 weeks?"
"Oh yea, 2 weeks, just me and Joey. That's never happened in the year we've been together. Finally we'll see what it's like to be around each other 24/7."
Sunday had come and Lance came home while I was playing with Tristan in the living room. He now was smiling all the time and making adorable little cooing noises.
"Hi." He said as he walked in on me sitting on the floor playing with the baby who was kicking his feet around.
"Hey I didn't expect you home this soon."
"We took an earlier flight home. I thought Kristin would still be here."
"Oh no. She insisted she leave before you got home because we needed to be alone and all this stuff. So she ended up leaving at like 12 this morning and going to Erica's for awhile till you guys got home then she was going to Joey's."
"Oh ok. Well look at that smile on his face." He said as he sat down on the floor next to me and picked Tristan up. The next months would be similar as we watched him grow each day. Lance would be home for quite some time besides the occasional week here and there for talk shows and interviews. And so life went on from that point on in the same basic routine, what would the next years bring for us? We didn't know but we knew we were going to have a lot of fun...