The shrill ring of Justin’s cell phone woke him at six the next morning. Flipping
the cover of the tiny phone over, he answered groggily, “’Lo?”
A woman’s smooth voice came over the phone, “Justin Timberlake?”
Brushing the sleep out of his eyes, Justin answered, “Yup. Who is this?”
It was almost as though the woman’s rich voice smiled over the phone,
“Faith. Faith Hill.”
“Faith Hill? At six in the morning? Give me a break. I’m not that stupid.”
She answered apologetically, “Oh! I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. It’s
already nine here.”
“You really are Faith Hill? The Faith Hill?” He asked, scratching his fro.
“Yes. I heard about your girlfriend, Justin. I spoke with your manager
about it, and he felt it would be best if I talked to you.” Faith announced.
Spitting in his hand, and trying to tame the fro that was consuming his
head, he asked, “How’d you find out about Gabby, Faith?”
“Well, her face is gracing the cover of Teen People, and my manager sent
the article to me. It’s very flattering that she calls me her role model. Also, I
heard about her mother. Please send her my sympathies. You and she actually
made the front page of the New York Times.”
Shaking his head in disgust, Justin stated, “Big news there. We’ve been
going out for quite awhile now.”
“Anyway, Justin, I’ll cut to the point. Once Gabby goes back to Orlando,
and you go back on tour, i’d really like to talk to her. Maybe we could set
something up?”
A grin on his face, Justin answered, “That can definitely be arranged!”
“Faith Hill, meet Gabby Reynolds.” Johhny introduced, “Gabby, meet
Faith.”
Smiling, Faith began, “Gabby, it’s so great to finally meet you! I have to
say, I went out and bought your CD. It’s quite impressive.”
“Wow. It’s great to meet you Ms. Hill. Thank you very much!” Gabby
answered, a bit starstruck.
Smiling, she answered, “Please. Call me Faith.” Gabby nodded and
Fatih continued, “As you’ve heard from your manager, I’ve come here for a
reason, Gabby...”
Stooping down, Aaron smacked Gabby’s face lightly, “Sweetheart!... Girl!
Gabby.. Gabrielle! You’ve got to snap out of it! C’mon!”
Looking up into his face, she stuttered, “Grrammmy.. Grammy
nomination?!?”
With a smile on his face, he nodded, “Yeah! Best new artist, and Album
of The Year!” Grinning, he continued, “Now, don’t tell anyone I told you this, but
MTV is predicting that Best New Artist is YOURS!”
Before she had time to respond, Justin burst into the room, and pulled her
into a tight embrace. “WAHHHOOOO! BABY! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!”
She grinned, and hugged him back, “Justin!-” However, Gabby was cut off
before she could answer. Aaron handed her the phone.
“Gab! I’m so proud of you gal!” Faith said excitedly.
Beaming, Gabby announced, “I don’t think I believe it, Faithie. It’s a
dream, right?!?”
Shaking her head, Faith laughed, “No. No dream. But.. there is
something, Gabby. Something that the media didn’t find out, at my request.”
Curious Gabby asked, “And what’s that?”
“That thing we talked about when you first met.. It’s on Gabby. You and I
are cleared to do it! Does Justin know yet?” she questioned.
A sly grin on her face, Gabrielle answered, “Justin has abolutely no idea.”
Justin raised and eyebrow inquisitively as he listened to try and obtain more
details.
A humored look on his face, Aaron made a request, “Would you please,
please, please calm down, Gabby? You’re going to show up on the red carpet
with eyeliner on your nose if you don’t calm down.”
As Aaron finished her hair and makeup Gabby looked at the exquisite
dress she had chosen to wear. It was a deep blue satin, dazzled with silver
crystals in the formation of stars to the waistline. The dress was long, but had a
slit that was cut up to her thigh.
“Now, I’m going to be right outside the door as you slip the dress on. Call
me when you’re done.” Gabby nodded as Aaron left the room.
The minute that the cool silky material hit her skin, Gabby felt as though
she were a princess ready to attend a grand ball. She bit her lip as she looked
in the mirror. The dress was impeccable.
Taking in the dress, she delayed in calling Aaron back in. Finally his
knock rang out on the door, “Gabby! If you don’t hurry up, you’re not even going
to make the afterparty!”
Kissing her jawbone, Justin murmured, “Why don’t we just skip this whole
Grammy’s thing?” He pulled away and looked down at her, “God, you look so
gorgeous.”
“You told me that when I had sweats and warm up pants on last week.”
Gabby answered sarcastically.
Before he could reply, the limo had pulled up to the red carpet, and Lani
pulled the door open. As Gabby stepped out, Lani patted her on the back, “You
get out there, and you show them who’s boss tonight Gabby. This is your night.
Don’t let anybody get you down. Make that Mama of yours wish she was here.”
Hugging Lani, she answered, “Thank you Lani. I plan on doing just that.”
