Disclaimer: Please note that this is fiction and that I don't know anybody from the pop industry. Their sex life is none of my business, but that doesn't mean that I can't speculate.
Author's Notes: This is my attempt on a story based on Creek-Speak. (You know, like the way they speak on Dawson's Creek.) Each chapter is supposedly set as a one-on-one conversation between two people about the other people in their lives.
If you are reading this, please read my other story, Mad Season. If you love this, then you will definitely love that.
Love, Words, and Intentions
Chapter 2: Joey Fatone
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"
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 Jeffre 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.
TBC....