Chapter 2
I'm trying hard to figure out
Just how I ever did without
The warmth of your smile, the heart of a child
That's deep inside leaves me purified
"God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You"
Joey Fatone
Within the entire 4 billion people in the planet Earth, 350,000,000 live
within the United States. In Florida, about 1/43 of those people live in
this state which is situated within 3 time zones. (As noted in the recent
electorial race.) Its major cities pay residence to the highest population
of celebrities outside of California and New York. In Orlando alone, many of
the music industry's greatest talents have found their start in this city of
sunny beaches and Disney World. One group in particular, NSYNC, made such a
mark in the world that they are known as the most profitable music group, as
said by Forbes Magazine.
Each of its members have their own venture outside of the group as a fall
back from stardom. JC has his future in producing and in songwriting. Justin
has a future solo career and a foundation dedicated to saving music programs
in the country. Chris is the CEO of Fu Man Skeeto, a clothing company on the
rise. Lance has his music management company, FreeLance, and his film
company, A Happy Place. And Joey, well, he has his acting career.
Yeah, Joey heard it all. His band mates have things to do after NSYNC so
what will Joey be doing after it ends? Most people speculate nothing. They
say that he has nothing but that "acting thing", which most "superstars" do
anyway. They don't know Joey that well. Joey has something, or more
precisely, someone.
Like any major city, Orlando doesn't really wind down to sleep. It just
keeps on moving, with much of its people in a restless state. Moving outside
the city it's more quiet and rustic within the suburbs. All the residential
neighborhoods, all still at this early morning wait to join the movement of
daytime. In one of these quiet neighborhoods is a simple and homely
two-story house with a swimming pool in the backyard. On the second floor
sleep three individuals. One of those individuals is Joseph Anthony Fatone
Jr. spooning his long-time girlfriend, Kelly.
His slumber is disturbed by the cries coming from a baby monitor. Slowly
getting up to follow the source of the cry, he tells Kelly to go back to
sleep. He staggers towards the door and quickly looks back to the girl who
he's been dating on and off since high school. He smiles a little before
closing the door quietly. Time seems to drag as he moves down the hall while
listening to the sound that shattered the tranquility of much needed sleep.
Joey, who is still suffering from jet lag, opened the door leading to a
nursery and flicked on the lights. He winced at the brightness, then walked
towards the crib where his 4 month old daughter Brianna laid in distress and
picked her up.
"Shhhh Brie! Your mother is trying to get some sleep. Are you hungry
again?", he asked the infant quietly as he gets a bottle of baby formula.
Brianna continued to bawl. "Okay, that's not it so what can it be? Are you
wet?"
He felt the diaper and surely enough it was wet. Sighing, he placed the
baby girl down on the changing table and removed the filled-up wrapping. "I
honestly don't know how your Uncle Jeff does it? He has the same job as me
but I'm still not used to all this", he said to Brianna. "I'm glad that your
Uncle Justin and Aunt Britney are going here to baby sit you tomorrow. Your
mother and me need a break. And on Sunday, we are going to have a party for
your mommy and all the rest of your crazy uncles and aunts will spoil you
like there is no meaning to the word stop." Joey said this as he cleaned
Brianna's bottom with baby wipes and baby powder then replaced a clean
diaper on her.
He studied his handiwork and lifted Brianna off the table. Still feeling
tired, he sat down on the nursery's rocking chair while placing the baby on
his chest.
"I have a secret to tell you," he said conspiratorially. "Your Uncle Josh
will be getting married to Uncle Lance, your godfather, pretty soon. They
want you to be their flower girl in the wedding. You will be so beautiful,
you know. You have your mom's looks and I know that will knock them dead. I
also heard that your Uncle Chris is offering to have your dress made for the
ceremony. I hope he has the good sense to dress you nice or your father will
pull a Mike Tyson on him. At least I can talk to Uncle Howie to dissuade him
from actually doing this. We both know what Uncle Chris is like." He laughed
at the possible antics.
Joey then frowned at the flow that his thoughts were taking. "I hope your
Uncle Justin will take it well. They haven't told him yet about the
marriage. No matter what happens I just know that Justin is going to get
hurt by this. I'm glad that he has your Aunt Britney to take care of him
should anything will happen."
The moments passed but Brianna stayed awake but quiet as if she was
listening to her Father's words. Joey smiled at the child. He still has a
hard time believing that the baby in his arms has his blood in her. He
continued to rock the chair that Christina had given to them at the Baby
Shower. His thoughts marveled at this baby, how tiny she was.
"You know, it's ironic that the famous Joey Fatone of NSYNC would end up as
the father of the most beautiful and amazing child in the world. I'm a man
that travels the world, singing and dancing in front of thousands of little
girls. Living the rock star lifestyle and going to clubs almost every time
that I could. I've tried all the vices and avoided them, except the
occasional alcohol. I was living it while the rest of your NSYNC uncles
decided to have their back-up plans."
"Everyone made fun of me, not expecting me to amount to much. I mean, what
kind of a fall back is acting anyway? It's too early for me to decide on
what I want to do after NSYNC anyway. Too many choices, you know."
"But then, you came and my whole world has changed. When your Mom told me
that you were going to happen, I was having trouble with the idea of being a
father. All doubts that I have thought of were instantly gone the moment I
held you in my arms and you gripped my finger with your tiny hand. You were
so tiny but it was me who felt like I was small because nothing that ever
happened to me so far has prepared me for being a father," Joey said softly
to Brianna. "I never realized it at the time but you are my back-up plan. My
thing. My most precious possession that I wouldn't dream of giving up in the
world. I would trade my life as part of NSYNC if it means taking care of you
and being your father all the time." He kissed her on her forehead as he
continued to rock.
"I know that your Mom and I may never marry but I promise you that I will
be a good Dad to you. I may never be there all the time but I will never
hurt you nor will I abandon you. As said in one of the world's sappiest
song, 'This I Promise You'. I want to be there when you have your first
step, your first word, maybe your first tooth. I want to see you on the very
first day when you go to school. I want to see you in your prom dress. But
most of all, I want to be there when you walk down the aisle to the person
who you were meant to be with." Tears slowly came down his cheeks as he
cradled his daughter.
"I can see your future, you know. I guess this is what every father thinks
about their own daughter. Your Uncle Jeff talks about his daughter much like
the way I talk to you, but I'm biased you know. I want to tell you what I
see. Want to hear it?", he almost expected Brianna to answer his question.
He smiled at his sleepy daughter before continuing.
"I can see you singing in front of millions much like me and your aunts and
uncles. I can see you riding horses in the ranch of your Uncle Kevin,
playing basketball with your Uncle Brain, and maybe scuba diving with your
Uncle Nick Carter. You could be shopping with your Aunt Britney and
Christina during the major sales. I'll tell you now that your mother hates
that. Your Uncle Chris and Josh will be bringing you along to fashion shows
to make sure you aren't fashionably impaired though I question those two
sometimes. Just stay away from Uncle Justin Jeffrey and your Uncle AJ. I
don't need you to be influenced by any other players out there except me,"
he told the already sleeping baby in a slight tone of warning.
"And another thing, my little princess. Be like your Aunt Jessica, okay. I
don't want to find out that my daughter is having sex until she is married.
If I find out that you are having sex, I will hunt down the bastard and kill
him. Yeah, I know it's a little harsh but I just want what's best for you.
God, I hope your Uncle Nick and Aunt Jess will just see the light and
realize that they are perfect for each other." He smirked slightly.
As the early morning slowly moved on, a sudden sadness came upon Joey as
he continued to embrace Brianna. "Brie, remember that your mother and I will
always love you no matter, but should anything happen to us, we both agreed
that you will be living with your Uncle Josh and Uncle Lance. I was thinking
that it would be best that you live with Chris or Justin, but I want you to
have some stability should something happen. Josh and Lance can offer that.
Later today, a guy called a lawyer will come here later so we can make them
into your legal guardians."
"I know what your thinking, 'What about Grandma and Grandpa?' Well, they're
getting old and I don't want to burden them with another child to take care
of. Don't get me wrong, they adore you but your uncles can give you a better
life. Besides, your Aunt Janine and Uncle Steve will be having their
families of their own soon. As for your other set of grandparents, well,
let's say I wouldn't allow them to go near you with a 20 foot pole. To the
point, I would rather have you live with a gay couple who I know that will
love you like I love you than a couple of indifferent old fools who didn't
know how to take care of their own daughter. Can you imagine what it would
be if you were to visit them, pure hell I tell you. I don't know how your
mom lived with them for so long."
Lathargy soon took over his eyes. Joey bent down to kiss his daughter again
on the forehead. "I love you, my little princess," Joey said as
unconsciousness came. "Good night."
Early the next morning, Kelly woke up confused and alone in the Master
bedroom. She searched around to see if Joey was around but saw no sign of
him, until she heard the sound of a soft snore from the baby monitor.
Smiling to herself, she got out of bed and headed towards the nursery. She
turned off the lights as she saw Joey, still on the rocking chair, cuddling
their daughter in his arms and snoring softly like it was nobody's business.
Her smile got wider at the sight then she walked towards them to kiss each
on the forehead; wiping their respective brows with much affection.
She pulled the blinds open and let the sunlight pour into the nursery.
Peering outside, she saw her neighbors going into their cars to begin
another day of work in the great big world. Until later, at least, the world
will just have to wait a bit for Joey and Brianna Fatone to wake up.
Your love is like a river, peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep
When I look into your eyes I know that it's true
God must have spent a little more time on you.
Chapter 3
Back To Love, Words, and Intentions Main Page
