"Justin this scarf is too tight!" Megan whimpered. "Where are you taking me?"
"Just hold on baby, we’re almost there." He smiled as he led her to the bench that sat at the edge of the oceanfront. He sat her down and rubbed her arms. "Are you OK? You’re not cold?"
"I’m fine, can I take this damn blindfold off now?" She asked, desperately wanting to know where they were. She heard him chuckle as he pulled the scarf off and watched as her eyes lit up. Justin kissed the top of her head.
"Merry Christmas baby." He whispered in her ear. He took his seat next her. "I know I’m a few weeks early for Christmas…but I wanted to give you your present early."
"Justin this is wonderful…I can’t believe you remembered this." She gazed in wonder at the familiar surroundings.
He could sense it. He didn’t know how it was happening, but he could feel the emotions running through her. Maybe it was just that her lips seemed to be a little softer, her tongue a little more playful as it slid across his own. He didn’t know how to put it into words...even in the privacy of his own mind. So he chose to accept it for what it was. For once he would let his heart take center stage, and his mind would have to hover in the wings.
The kiss intensified, and he slowly began leading her toward the car. He was met with no resistance on her part. She seemed hypnotized with him at the moment. They made it inside and into the backseat with no problem. At this point his face had lowered to nuzzle her neck as she buried her own face into the front of his sweater.
"Maybe we should stop..." Justin mumbled against her lips as she pulled him down to her. She ignored his suggestion and continued to kiss him. "Megan...Baby...Stop!"
She finally pulled away. "What’s wrong?" She asked, confused.
"I...I just don’t want your first time to be in the backseat of a car." He said touching her cheek. "Don’t you want it to be special."
"Justin..." She whispered, leaning her cheek into his hand. "As long as I’m with you, It’ll be special anywhere." He smiled wide and kissed her softly.
"How could I not remember the first time I made love to you?" He asked pulling her closer to him. "It was one of the best nights of my life."
"Sweet talker." She teased squeezing his hand. "But I love you anyway."
For some reason, her saying that right then made him not worry about what he was getting ready to do. It was crazy to even think about it at this point in his life but he knew that Megan loved him. Ever since the first time she told him, he knew that he never wanted to hear any other woman say those three little words to him again.
"Justin…what are you thinking about?" Megan asked noticing the distant look in his eye.
"I was thinking about how perfect this is…and about how much I love you." She smiled up at him and he kissed her softly. "Megan?"
"Mmm-hmm." Her eyes were closed as she took in everything that was going on around her.
"Look at me." Her eyes opened and she got lost in his caring gaze.
"OK…I’ve never done this before so just…don’t say anything until I’m finished all right?" She nodded and he took a deep breath before continuing. He almost chickened out right there but a mental boost put him back into place. C’mon J, you’ve gone over this a million times in your head… "Megan, I know life with me is crazy and if I were you, I probably would have left me a long time ago. I just can’t believe that after 2 ½ you’re still with me…and you’re going to have two beautiful baby boys with me." He dropped to his knees in front of her and placed a soft kiss on her stomach. "You’ve already made me the happiest man in the world just by giving me them. But will you give me yourself too?"
"Justin, I don’t understand." Megan shook her head. "You do have me, all of me…I love you."
"I know you say that I have all of you, but sometimes I see that distant look in your eye…you’re thinking about everything that happened in the past." He reached up and touched the small scar on her forehead that was a constant reminder to both of them of her horrible past with Jacob. "I know I can’t ask you to forget that…but I don’t want those memories to get in the way of what we have."
"I’m so scared Justin." Megan’s voice cracked as she spoke. Justin smiled softly and cupped her face.
"There’s nothing to be scared of baby." He assured her. "I’ll never hurt you like he did, I couldn’t." His lips covered hers with passion and tenderness. Megan’s hands clung to his wrists as the feelings he was projected mirrored her own. He pulled away slowly but still held her face.
"Megan…I need you to be my wife. Will you marry me, AngelFace?"
"Oh Justin…yes." She smiled through her tears. "Yes I’ll marry you."
The tears that had gathered in her eyes now ran down her face. Justin reached into the pocket of his jacket and handed her the velvet ring box. She opened it and gasped at the 2-karat diamond engagement ring. Justin took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger. In his opinion, the moment was way too serious, so, in classic Justin Timberlake style, he stuck his tongue out and crossed his eyes. She laughed and happily threw her arms around his neck. Justin smiled and kissed her again. He was sure that this Christmas would be the best one ever.
**December 25, 2005**
Megan smiled as she stood in the entryway of the Fatone living room. Everyone she cared about was inside that room. All the guys and their families were gathered at Joey’s house in New York this Christmas and at the moment, the kids were ripping open their presents. She smiled as cousins and siblings of the guys’ and her families shined with euphoria.
"Megan, dear don’t slouch in the hallway like that, do sit down." Joan Ardini said with an exasperated sigh as she fondled her perfect pearl necklace.
Megan’s smile evaporated a little. I hope our news takes some of the attention of me being pregnant. Megan thought. She’ll probably go and get something tucked right away when she finds out.
"I can’t believe we all fit." Lynn laughed as little children shook presents and begged their parents to open more.
"Last year seem so much more cramped." Beverly said as she handed one of her children a bag of gifts to dispense.
Chris’s eyes lit up, "Mom what did you get me?"
"This Christmas seems so much more christmasy." Diane commented.
Phyllis smiled, "It’s the New York winter."
Megan’s father sipped his coffee and looked up at his only daughter standing were she had been moments before, "Megan didn’t you hear your mother?"
Joey jumped up then, "Wait Meg don’t move!"
Megan froze like a statue.
JC looked up from his spot on an armchair, "Someone lose a contact?"
"Not me." Chris, Lance and Justin said at the same time.
Joey smiled and went to stand by Megan, "Nope just going to take advantage of holiday tradition."
"What?" Megan asked with a laugh.
Joey pointed above their heads.
Megan looked up and smiled, sure enough there was some mistletoe.
"Joe be careful how well you take advantage of this tradition, we don’t want to have Justin in the slammer on Christmas." JC laughed.
Joey just smiled and kissed Megan hard on the mouth. Laughing they pulled apart. Megan playfully fanned herself with her hand as if she had suddenly gotten hotter and more laughter filled the room.
"That was just a tad bit distasteful." Joan commented disdainfully.
Megan frowned and started to open her mouth to give her mother a bit of her mind when Justin stood up and hurried towards her. He gave her a look that begged her not to make a scene on Christmas. She pouted but smiled as he stepped in front of her.
"Let’s show them how to really take advantage of mistletoe." He grinned taking her into his arms.
"My lips are at your mercy." Megan breathed across his delectable mouth.
Justin brought his mouth down on her passionately, lifting her off the floor. Megan hooked her hands around his neck and kissed back with abandon. They pulled apart slowly and smiled.
"I love you baby." He whispered.
"I love you too." She replied. "Should we tell them now?"
"We might as well." They turned to the rest of the group, who were all in conversations of their own.
Megan took a deep breath. "Everyone, we have something to say." The room suddenly fell silent.
"I’ll bet you all think this is gonna be like last time when we told you all that Megan was pregnant." He smiled down at her. "But this is even bigger than that…you tell them."
"We’re getting married." Megan held her hand out and revealed the ring that she had been hiding carefully all night. After a second of silence, the room erupted with cheerful prattle and Megan and Justin were surrounded by happy mothers and excited friends.
"Well, I think they should have done this a long time ago." Megan heard her mother say.
"Excuse me?" She asked.
"I think that you should have gotten married as soon as you found out that you were pregnant." Joan repeated. "Now your children are going to be born without you being married. Do you know what that can do to a child?"
"For your information, Justin asked me to marry him a long time ago." Megan said. "I said no because I didn’t know if I was ready for marriage."
"Oh, but you did think you were ready for children?"
"No I didn’t, but I was not going to have an abortion." Megan defended herself.
"So now you’re having two unwanted children."
"I'll be waiting in the car," Kevin said to his wife then turned to Phyllis, "Thank you for a lovely meal." He left without another word.
Joan looked daggers at her daughter; "I have never been more ashamed of you in my life! I just thank the lord that your brother isn’t here. He still can’t believe that you’re pregnant."
Justin’s face turned red with anger. Joan noticed and mistook it for something else, "That’s right Justin you should be ashamed."
Lynn and Randall sat up straighter.
"MOTHER!" Megan warned.
"Don’t you dare you careless girl."
Megan stood up, "Don’t I dare what? Reprimand you? You deserve it. Of course Brian isn’t here! Monte Carlo is such a pressing engagement, especially since you and dad won’t be there."
"I’m warning you young lady." Joan stepped towards her daughter.
Justin stood up behind Megan.
Megan laughed bitterly, "Or what? You’ll ground me? I’m not a child anymore mother. I’m 21 years old and about to have children of my own."
"God help them." Joan spit.
"That’s it, out!" Justin yelled at the woman who had brought the one he loved into the world, only feeling sick at the sight of her and the way she was treating Megan.
Joan looked at him with contempt; "It is not your place to..."
"But it’s mine, out Joan." Phyllis said pointing towards the door.
Joe walked to open it for her, "Don’t come back here till you are ready to apologize your daughter."
The room remained silent for a long while.
"No offense Meg but how are you possibly that lady’s daughter?" Chris asked.
Megan smiled a bit trying to fight back tears.
"Mrs. Ardini wasn’t always like that." Joey answered for her. "Megan’s family’s business came into more money when she was what ten and everything changed."
"Except for me much to my family’s apparent distaste." Megan said wiping her eyes as Justin wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"That’s because you know that money isn’t everything." He told her. "I’m just sorry that this Christmas had to be so bad for you…it was supposed to be happy."
"I am happy." Megan forced a smile. "I’m happy because I’m here with you guys and we’re getting married."
"You bet your ass we are." Justin smiled and pulled her in for a kiss.
That night Megan tossed and turned in bed, uneasy about the events of the day. She hated the fact that she had gotten into a fight with her mother on Christmas, but then again, her family never could have a normal get-together.
Ever since she was a little girl her and her mother couldn’t agree. If Joan said the sky was blue, Megan said it was purple. The only thing they ever agreed on was dancing. And now she couldn’t even do that anymore. She turned onto her side again before sighing loudly and settling on her back. Justin’s arm tightened around her waist.
"What’s wrong baby?" He mumbled.
"I can’t sleep." She grumbled. "The boys are kicking."
"It’ll be alright baby." Justin assured her. He sat up and leaned against the headboard. "What’s really bothering you?"
"I don’t know…" Megan said. She rested her head in his lap and he gently rubbed her temples. "I just wish my parents would back off of us, you know…I think we’re old enough to make our own decisions, they just still want me to be their baby girl."
"What happened between you and your mother?"
"When the company got more money, my entire family went crazy. But the money meant nothing to me, I was only ten." She said. "So while my family was off on business trips and vacations, I was playing at Joey’s house and living the life my "poor" friends were living. They thought that I was ungrateful." Megan voice cracked. "I was pretty much disowned by my family. If it hadn’t been for Joey’s family, I would have been dragged all over the world and never known what it was to have a family."
"We’ll have a family of our own soon and everything will be OK." He smiled at the thought of finally having a family.
"Are you scared?" Megan asked.
"Of what baby?"
"Having a family…getting married…"
"I’m not scared because we’ll be going through it together." He laid back down next to her so they were facing each other. "I wouldn’t be doing this unless I thought we were both ready for it."
"I know." She moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I’m glad we decided to drive back home…I think JC needs a road trip." Megan said.
"It took me forever to convince him." Justin laughed. "He wanted us to go by ourselves. He said all he really wanted to do was go home and hide in bed."
"Well he’s not going to be doing that." Megan said firmly. "He’s gonna have fun whether he likes it or not." She yawned loudly. "We’ll all have fun on the bus together."
"Go to sleep baby…we have a long drive home." Justin kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. "Sweet dreams baby…I love you."
"I love you too." She mumbled already half asleep.
Megan was awakened in a dark hotel room by a sharp pain ripping through her stomach. Instinctively, she gripped her stomach and groaned in pain. She soon realized that these weren’t pregnancy pains, she was having contractions.
"Oh not now babies we still have a few days left before we get home." Another sharp pain ripped through her body in response.
"J…Justin!" Megan said with panic as she turned to see he was no where in sight. "Oh God Justin where are OHHH OWWWW!" She screamed as another contraction hit.
Megan reached for the phone and dialed Joey's room.
"Hello?" She heard a sleepy voice answer.
"Joe is Justin there?" Megan asked between deep breaths.
She heard a yawn on the other end, "No try Chris." With that he hung up.
"AHHHHH!" She moaned when another pain gripped her stomach. After it subsided she stood but as soon as she did another contraction hit her sending her to her knees it was only a matter of seconds before she was sinking into blackness.
"Meg?" Justin’s voice sounded like it was a thousand miles away. "Baby wake up."
"Uhhh?" Megan mumbled opening her eyes to see Justin looking down at her and hearing sirens wailing, "What's going OOOOOH OW!...Now I remember where were you?"
Justin looked up at one of the paramedics as they said something to him then back at Megan, "Out with JC. He helped me breakdown the door after we heard you scream."
Megan grimaced and bit her lip as contraction hit, "My heroes, but what about your key to the room." She ground out.
"I left it on the dresser." Justin blushed.
Megan shook her head, "FigurEEESSS OOOOOOOOOHHH GOOODDD! I told you to remember to take it with you when you went out but, NO…you had to go and forget - OOOHH GOD DAMMIT THIS HURTS!"
"Baby squeeze my haNNNNDDDD OH LORRDDD OW!" Justin said using his free hand to grab the hand Megan was gripping.
The paramedic who had been working on Megan suddenly turned to her, "Miss if you feel the urge to push you can push these babies aren't going to wait."
"Gladly." Megan gripped Justin’s hand and started to push. She let out the loudest scream Justin had ever heard.
"She shouldn’t be screaming like this!" Justin said. "Is it really that painful?"
"Justin…" Megan took a deep breath. "Can you imagine what it would feel like to stab yourself a million time in the stomach with a dull knife?"
"I guess." Justin shrugged.
"OK, times that by like a thousand and you’ll know what kind of pain I’m in!" She braced herself to push again. "Now please just concentrate."
"OK Megan one more good push." The paramedic called to her.
"This is it baby." Justin smiled. "We’re gonna be parents."
"If you don’t shut-up, I’m going to kill you - OHHH MY GOD! This hurts so bad!" Megan suddenly felt very lightheaded. It seemed as if a huge weight had been lifted off of her. Soon the cries of a baby could be heard in the ambulance.
"It’s a boy!" The paramedic cried. Even though Megan already knew that news, she was happy to hear it for the first time.
Megan laughed and rested her head on the pillow under her. Tears of pain and happiness were running down her face. She looked up at Justin who was carefully holding one of their two beautiful baby boys. She gazed in awe into the green eyes of the one she was holding. After 8 hours of labor, her baby boys were finally here.
The doctor had told her that she had been passed out through much of the pre-labor pains so the labor itself had gone fairly quickly. Megan didn’t care how it happened though, as long as her babies were healthy, she was happy.
"Megan?" She looked up at Justin with tear filled eyes. He smiled through his own. "We made two of the most perfect baby boys I’ve ever seen."
"I know…I just can’t believe they’re finally here." She smiled. Justin moved so he was closer to her. "Did you decide on which names you wanted?"
"Carter Lee and Gabe Ryan…what do you think?" He asked. "We talked about it before…"
"I think they’re perfect."
For a moment, they just looked at each other. It was obvious that they both felt different, they were parents now, bound for life. But neither of them would have it any other way. Before Megan had any time to think, Justin pulled her into a kiss. When he had to pull away from her to breathe, he only left her for a second.
"I love you, Mommy." He smiled. Megan’s heart swelled as she heard those words.
"I love you too, Daddy."
