My New Life chapter 69
Stories by James
on Nifty
This is the story of the last concert in *Nsync's No Strings Attached Summer Tour. And what happens when they meet one of their fans, late that night in the hotels hot tub. This story pairs Joey with one of their fans.
Is our history written in stone? What would happen if one thing in a person's life could be changed. See what happens when the Backstreet Boys take a ski trip that change their lives, for ever.
My New Life
by James
Disclaimer:
This story is the sole property of its author and may not be copied in whole or in part without the permission of the author. The posting of this story on any web site must be with the author's prior knowledge and permission.
This story deals with the fictional relationship between the members of the musical groups *Nsync, Backstreet Boys (And who ever else shows up in the story.) and a male fan. The sexual orientation of the members of *Nsync or the Backstreet Boys are not known by the author and what is depicted in the story came from the imagination of the author.
If you are not 18 years old or it is illegal in your area to view such material please read something else.
These stories can also be found on my web site
Boy Band Fan Fiction
More stories
This ia a story that spans the generations. Lance finds love and romance with someone he feels he has known all his life.
This is my newest short story I posted just before Christmas. Lance has returned home after not being able to complete his life long dream, going into space. He feels his life has no meaning and he struggles to regain his self worth. He finds what he is looking for in the form of an abused little boy and his friend Ethan
Last Time:
“Nana! I’m home,” came the high pitched voice from the other side of the fence.
A young dark haired boy entered the yard. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.
“Who’s car is that our front,” the boy yelled.
“Land sakes boy you don’t have to shout,” Nana said to the boy.
The boy turned to Nana’s voice and a grin spread across his face. “You’ve come back!” the boy shouted and ran to Marc’s open arms.
“I told you I’d be back,” Marc said as the boy flew into his arms.
As the boy and Marc hugged Lance sat there opened mouthed. He didn’t know what was going on or what to make of it.
Marc placed the boy on his knee and turned him to face Lance. “Shawn, do you recognize that guy setting over there?” Marc asked.
Shawn looked at Lance and nodded. “He looks like one of the guys in *Nsync.”
“That’s right. Do you know which one?”
Shawn nodded again. “He’s Lance.”
“That’s right. Lance is the name he uses as a member of *Nsync. You remember me telling you about my friend James?”
Again Shawn nodded.
“Lance’s first name is James and he is my special friend.”
Shawn smiled at Lance and gave him a little wave.
Lance waved back still not sure what was going on.
“James, this is Shawn Marcus Porter-Stevens, my son.”
Chapter 69
Nana knew from Lance’s expression that her grandson had not told him about Shawn. “I think you two need some time to talk. Shawn, come on and help me start supper.”
Marc’s gaze moved from Lance to his grandmother. She glared at him shaking her head.
Marc moved to sit next to Lance.
Lance watched Nana and Shawn go into the house. “He looks just like you,” Lance said softly without turning to Marc.
Marc didn’t say anything.
“He looks like the picture you drew of him.”
Marc nodded, “I about shit my pants when I first saw him.”
“The boy in your dreams. . . . Is there still a mother in the picture?”
“Yes there is.”
“When, when will she be home?” Lance asked.
“She doesn’t live here any longer. Nana is raising Shawn.”
Lance didn’t understand. “Why is Nana raising Shawn?”
“Shawn’s mother can’t provide for him any longer. If Nana hadn’t taken him I’m afraid he would have been put into foster care.”
“Is she in prison?”
“Prison! Oh no! Susan has been hospitalized for over three years.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She was struck by a hit and run driver. She had just gotten off work, and was crossing the street to catch the bus when she was hit. She suffered several broken bones including a broken neck.”
“Oh god, I’m so sorry. How is she doing now?”
“She is paralyzed from the neck down. The first of this year she was having problems focusing. An eye doctor came in to take a look at her and found a growth behind her left eye.”
“What kind of growth?”
“A tumor.”
“Is she all right now?”
Marc shook his head. “Susan lost the sight in her left eye. They were not able to get all the tumor. Chemotherapy has slowed the growth of the tumor but it looks like in time the tumor will win the battle.”
“Shit! How long does she have?”
“The doctors first gave here less than six months. That was eight months ago. There’s no telling how much longer she can hold on.”
“So, this Susan was your girlfriend?”
“No. She was Davey’s girlfriend. Sort of.”
“Short of?”
“She had the hots for Davey. He took her out as a favor for his best friend. They double dated once.”
“That all it takes is once. So Shawn is Davey’s son.”
Marc shook his head. “No. They didn’t even kiss.”
“If they didn’t. How?”
“Susan was upset when Davey didn’t call her for another date. She had this fantasy of Davey asking her to the Junior/Senior Prom. And when he asked Mary Brown to the prom she kind of lost it. >From what I’ve been told she was desperate to go. If she couldn’t have Davey she took the next best thing.”
“And that was you?”
Marc nodded. “It seems I escorted her to the prom. I still don’t remember any of this. Susan asked me and I accepted.”
“You said Junior/Senior Prom. I’ve heard of Senior Prom but not Junior/Senior Prom.”
“The classes in a small town aren’t very large. Most classes had around fifty students. I was told my class had fifty-two graduates. Well, it is the tradition that the Junior class sponsor the prom for the Senior class.”
“Okay, so were you a Junior or Senior?”
“We were Juniors, it was our first prom.”
“And you asked Susan?”
“She asked me. And from what she has told me we went to the prom and the after prom parties.”
“When did you two get together to make Shawn?” Lance asked.
“The night of the prom. The after prom party is where I got into trouble. Susan said she made sure my punch glass was kept full. What I didn’t know is she had spiked the punch.”
“She got you drunk,” Lance chuckled. “And she had her way with you.”
“That’s the way it looks.”
“Did you ever know she was pregnant?”
“No one new until after the accident. Susan broke down at the funerals. She confided in Nana that she was pregnant and that I was the father.”
“Didn’t her parents know?” Lance asked.
“Not until after she had talked to Nana. Susan’s father was the minister of the First Baptist Church.”
“You said he was the minister?”
“Yes. When Susan told her parents that she was pregnant he father beat her up before kicking her out. She showed up at Nana’s door a real mess. Nana took her to the emergency room and called in the authorities. Susan’s father was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.”
Lance just shook his head in disbelief.
After his arraignment, the members of his church put up his bail. He then used his position in the community to present his defense from the pulpit.”
“That’s not right.”
“That’s what Nana thought. And that was his down fall. He may have convinced the members of his church that he had the right to do what he did. But he didn’t realized that he was to be judged by the whole community. The community that heard about the minister with a history of abusing his wife and daughter. The minister that held private meetings with the church organist each Wednesday afternoon. That same organist who was rumored to have left town and had an abortion. And the shortfall of three thousand dollars in the church books that mysteriously found its way back a few weeks later.”
“I wonder where those rumors came from?” Lance said with a grin.
“Nana, has a lot of lady friends,” Marc admitted.
“Was he convicted?” Lance asked.
Marc nodded, “In more ways then one. By time the trial started his secret life had made its way back to the church elders. He was brought before the church board to answer the charges that were going around town about him. After two days of closed door meetings he was fired as their minister. The next week he was found guilty of the assault and was given a year in the county jail.”
“That was what four years ago? What is he doing now?”
“No one knows. He and his wife packed up and left town.”
Lance just shook his head as he was looking toward the house. “He is really a cute kid,” turning back to look at Marc Lance smiled. “Just like his daddy.”
The back door to the house slammed shut and Shawn came running over. “Dad, Nana wants your help with something.”
“Okay son, will you keep Lance company?”
Shawn nodded and climbed into the seat his dad had just vacated.
Shawn looked up at Lance, “Are you really Lance?”
“Yes,” Lance laughed.
“Do you really know Justin?”
“Yes,” Lance said as he picked up Shawn and put him on his lap. “I really do know Justin, Chris, J.C. and Joey. And so does your Dad. We met your Dad this summer when we were taking a break.”
“He said you spent your vacation with him.”
“Yes and we had a good time getting to know him. When it was time to leave we invited him to come on tour with us. We didn’t want our new friendship to end.”
“Nana, what do you need help with?” Marc asked.
“I don’t need anything I only need to ask you why did you bring that young man back with you?”
“Lance?”
Nana nodded.
Marc sighed as he leaned against the counter. “James is my best friend and I hope he’ll become my life partner.”
Nana looked at Marc frowning. “What do you mean life partner?”
“I love Lance very much and he loves me. We want to spend the rest of our lives together. Nana, I’m gay, and Lance is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Nana’s frown turned into a smile. “Oh, Boo, I’m so glad you’ve found someone.”
“You are all right with me being gay?”
“Oh, Boo, I mean Marc. No, it’s no surprise. As much as you and Davey looked alike there was so many things different about the two of you. Even though you both liked sports you each approached it in your own way. Davey was into contact sports, football and basketball. You were into track and gymnastics. While Davey was into the sports car club, you were into the glee club. You were always more sensitive then your brother. I think I’ve always known.”
“Nana, I want to be a part of Shawn’s life.”
“Of course you’ll be a part of his life. You’re his father.”
“Nana, I’m gay.”
“So! Are you a pedophile?”
“No!”
“Then what is the problem? That boy out there needs a father. His mother will be leaving this world soon. He will need his family.”
“He has you,” Marc said.
“And I will be there for him. But I’m an old woman. The lord only knows how much time I’ll be on this earth. What Shawn needs now is his father.” Nana looked out the window and smiled. “Or should I say fathers. The way those two seem to be getting on together I’d say that young man of yours would also make a good father for Shawn.”
“Lance, loves kids as much as I do.”
“Will he be willing to help raise Shawn?” Nana asked.
Marc nodded, “I think so.”
“Have you two talked about having a family?”
“We’ve talked about it. But I don’t think he realized just how fast our family is growing.”
“Yes, it will take some adjustment. Adding a third person to your lives will be unsettling.”
“Fourth,” Marc corrected.
“Fourth?”
“Last month I was made guardian of a thirteen year old boy. His name is Bobby.”
“And he lives with you?”
“Not yet. Bobby and his grandmother lives in L. A. His grandmother has some serious health problems.”
“Oh, my! Can’t anything be done?”
Marc shook his head. “There is too much damage to the heart muscle.”
“How did you meet this boy?” Nana asked.
“I was on tour with *Nsync. We had a day off and we went to Disneyland. Bobby was with a group of handicapped kids.”
“Is he handicapped?”
“He lost both of his legs and his parents in a automobile accident.”
“Oh, that poor boy.”
“When a group like *Nsync goes to a park like Disneyland they get the VIP treatment. We were waiting for our guide to arrive when we noticed the group of handicapped kids waiting also. The Disney people was having a hard time getting aids to help the children on and off the rides. To save time we offered to merge the two groups. Each of us were paired up with one of the kids. And I got Bobby.”
“And the two of you hit it off right away,” Nana chimed in.
“Not quite,” Marc laughed. “He had a big chip on his shoulder.”
“And why do I think he didn’t have that chip for long?”
“It only took about half of our day for him to have a major attitude adjustment. We became good friends that day.”
“How did you become his guardian?”
“I made a deal with Bobby that day. When he could walk of his own two feet I would fly him out to Orlando and we would go to Disney World. Bobby was in a wheelchair when we meet. He could have been fitted with prostheses after the accident but he was so angry with the world he chose not to get them. After my offer he went to get his legs but ran into some problems with the insurance company. When I found out what was happening I made a few phone calls and cleared up the mess.”
“Did he get to go to Disney World?”
“Yes. But his grandmother wanted to meet me, so I flew out to L. A. to get him. After I got there she asked to talk to me and she told me about her condition. Bobby is her only living relative and she didn’t want to see him going into the foster care system. She asked me to become his guardian.”
“Did she know about you.. . .”
“Being gay?”
Nana nodded.
“She knew about my relationship with Lance. Bobby picked up on it when we first meet. It’s no big deal.”
“What was Lance’s reaction?”
“He loves kids as much as I do. We had talked about having a family, we just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Right now he is still with his grandmother. He wants to spend what ever time she has left with her. But he knows when the time comes he has a home to come to. A home where he will get support and love.”
“How will Lance feel about opening your home to another child?” Nana asked.
“I’m sure he will welcome Shawn to our home. I know we will need to talk this out. He needs all the information about this situation. I want him to get to know Susan first before we talk.”
Marc called Lance and Shawn in for the evening meal. As they eat Shawn told Lance about him mom and that tomorrow was her birthday and they were going to go see her and celebrate her birthday. When he told Lance about the picture of *Nsync he had tried to get her Marc, could see that Lance, was fighting back tears. Nana was quick to change the subject.
After the dishes were cleaned up Marc asked Lance if he wanted to go with him to look around town. Shawn immediately wanted to go along but before Marc could answer Nana reminded him they were to bake his moms birthday cake. Luckily Shawn thought that was more important.
As they drove away Marc could see that Lance was still working out everything in his mind.
Lance was gazing out the side window. Marc had been unusually quiet since they left the house. They had moved into what looked like the business district. Marc slowed and turned into a large parking lot. The large sign read, Saint Joseph Hospital.
“Why are we stopping here?” Lance asked.
“We need to talk about what is going on,” Marc said as he pulled into a parking space.
“You want to talk here in a parking lot?”
“No we’ll talk later. For now there is someone I think you need to talk to.”
Lance looked at the big hospital building across the parking lot. “We’re going to see Susan aren’t we?” Lance asked nodding towards the building.
“Yes, but not there,” Marc said as he got out of the car.
Lance hesitantly joined Marc.
“It’s this way,” Marc said pointing toward what looked like a small park.
“What is this place? I thought you said Susan was in a hospital.”
“In a way this is part of the hospital. This is their hospice center.”
They walked into the garden area. The place was full of life. Large shade trees were strewn among the many colorful flower beds. Paths meandered among the trees and flower beds. There were several small fountains along the paths with benches and swings placed so you could sit and enjoy the beauty of the area. There were several patients in wheelchairs sitting under the shade of the trees. And all around them was life. Hundreds of butterflies were darting from flower to flower. Lance noticed the patients wheelchairs were surrounded by dozens of birds. A smile came to his face when he realized the patients were tossing out birdseed.
Marc held the door open to allow Lance to enter. A nurse at the reception desk smiled as they approached. “Good evening Mr. Morgan.”
“Good evening Janet. And it’s Marc. Is Susan in her room?”
“No. I saw her a little while ago in the sun room.”
“She must be feeling better,” Marc commented.
“Yes, she has had a good day.”
Marc lead the way to the sun room. Sitting by herself by the window sat a frail looking woman, her head covered by a bright orange scarf. As they approached she looked up and smiled.
“Marc,” she said softly.
“Susan, how are you doing?” Marc said as he leaned in and gave her a gentle hug.
When Marc stood back up Susan’s gaze fell on the man standing next to him. Susan’s surprise expression told Marc she recognized Lance. “Susan, I brought a friend to meet you.”
Susan looked between Marc and Lance. “You weren’t kidding. Were you?”
“No, I wasn’t. Susan, I’d like you to meet my friend, Lance Bass. Lance, this is Susan Porter, Shawn’s mother.”
Susan’s bout with being star struck didn’t last long as Lance quickly put her to ease. Lance never lost eye contact with Susan as they talked. Marc sat back and let the two of them get to know each other.
Susan was starting to tire, they had been talking for just over an hour. Marc pushed Susan’s wheelchair back to her room with Lance walking beside.
As they were saying their goodbyes a nurse appeared to help Susan get ready for bed. After promising to return with Shawn the next day they left.
The drive back to Nana’s house was a quiet one. Lance again stared out the window as they drove. About half way, Lance’s hand slid across the seat, interlacing his fingers with Marc’s. “I love you Boo.”
Marc brought their hands up and kissed Lance’s fingers.
“Boo, I don’t think Susan will be around too much longer.”
“Why do you say that?” Marc asked.
“I could see it in her eyes. The reason she has held on this long was because she couldn’t leave Shawn without a parent.”
“An now I’m in the picture.” Marc added.
“Correct. She doesn’t have to worry about Shawn now. I think she realizes that Nana won’t be around long enough to raise Shawn. When you came back from the dead her worries for Shawn vanished.”
“When we met the other day we had a long talk,” Marc said. “I made it clear that I would never abandon Shawn.”
“Of course you wouldn’t abandon your own son. And I think that was the one thing Susan need to know. Shawn will be taken care of. She no longer has to fight her condition. I could see a calm descend over her as we talked.”
Marc let out a long sigh as he pulled into Nana’s driveway. “I need to be in Shawn’s life.”
“I agree.”
Marc turned in his seat to face Lance. “I know you never imagined, when we got together, that we would end up with two boys to raise.”
“We both said we wanted a family,” Lance said. “I just didn’t thank the family would come so soon. Do you think we can pull this off?”
“I think we’ll need some help.”
“I wonder if Nana would like Orlando?” Lance said with a smile.
“I don’t think she would be able to give up her garden,” Marc said. “But she might enjoy the Florida winters.”
“So what are we looking at? A nanny or a house keeper?”
“I think we need a combination of both,” Marc sighed. “Any idea where to start?”
Lance thought hard for a while. A smile spread across his face. “We need to contact an expert. We’ll call my mom.”
Marc pulled out his cell phone and punched in the number.
When the phone on the table next to her began to ring Diane glanced at the caller ID.
Smiling as she reach for the phone, “Marc honey, how are you?”
“I’m doing well, Mom.”
“Lance said you had found your family. How did your meeting go?”
“It went good for the most part. It was my grandmother who recognized me on Rosie’s show. I still don’t have any memory of my past life but I now have a source of information about my past.”
“Well don’t give up. I feel you will remember your past some day.”
“Yeah, I know. I was just hoping it would happen now.”
“Have faith son, it will happen.”
Marc sighed, “The reason I called was to congratulate you.”
“Congratulate me on what?”
“Becoming a grandmother, again.”
“What!”
Marc started to laugh. “Besides finding my grandmother I also found out I have a five year old son. Remember the drawings I did?”
“Yes, they were of your little brother, Ryan.”
“That’s right. Remember the picture of the dark haired boy?”
“Yes.”
“That was Shawn, my son. He was born after the accident. I never knew anything about him.”
“What about his mother? Is she going to let you be part of his life?”
“Susan, insists that I be part of Shawn’s life. Mom, Susan has a terminal brain tumor.”
“Oh my! What is going to happen to Shawn?”
“He’s my son. He’ll be living with us.”
“My, your family is growing.”
“Yes, we realize that,” Marc laughed. “That’s why I’m calling. We think we’ll need some help.”
Marc filled Diane in on the kind of help they thought they would be needing. Diane asked a few questions that made Marc and Lance alter their requirements a little. Diane agreed to start putting out feelers for a housekeeper/nanny. She also requested the boys stop by and spend a day or two on their way back to Orlando. Marc and Lance quickly agreed to the visit and promised to bring pictures of Shawn with them.
After talking to Diane, Marc called the cabin, to see if Sara and Tom had filled them in on his family. Sara and Tom were still with the boys when Marc called. Sara made the comment about wanting to meet her new nephew. Marc suggested she and the guys come over to meet Shawn and Nana. With Tom providing the directions they all agreed to drive over in the morning.
Shawn was licking the bowl of the last of the chocolate frosting when he heard the front door open and shut.
“Something smells good,” Marc said as they walked into the kitchen.
“We baked a birthday cake for Mama,” Shawn said grinning up at them.
“I see, with chocolate frosting, my favorite. Did you save any for me?” Marc asked looking into the bowl.
“No, I ate it all,” Shawn giggled.
Marc picked Shawn up out of his chair. “You sure you ate it all?” Marc asked as he found Shawn’s tickle spot.
“Yes!” Shawn shrieked as he squirmed in his dad’s arms.
Marc stopped tickling Shawn as he looked at his face. “Oh good. Frosting!” Marc licked a smear of frosting off of Shawn’s chin. That sent Shawn into another fit of giggles.
Lance was laughing along with Shawn when Nana tapped him on the arm. Nana was offering him the two beaters from the mixer. Taking the offered beaters he started licking the frosting off of one.
“Look what I got,” Lance said.
Marc’s eyes widened when he saw the chocolate cover beater. “Can I have one?”
“Have you been a good boy?” Lance asked holding the chocolate treat just out of Marc’s reach.
“Yes, yes, I’ve been good,” Marc said eagerly.
“Shawn, had your Dad been a good boy?”
“No,” he giggled.
“No! I’ll get you for that,” Marc again poked him in his tummy; his giggle spot.
“Okay! Okay! You were a good boy.”
“That’s better.” Marc took the offered beater and started licking off the icing.
Shawn used his finger to steal a dollop of icing off the beater.
“That’s mine,” Marc growled.
Shawn laughed as he stole another dollop. But instead of licking the icing off his finger he smeared it on Marc’s chin. “Here’s your frosting.”
Marc stuck out his tongue trying to reach the frosting on his chin but couldn’t.
“I’ll get it,” Shawn said before he leaned in and licked the frosting off his Dads chin.
Lance roared with laughter, “It’s only fare.”
Shawn wrapped his arms around Marc’s neck giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The kiss that left Marc’s face smeared with chocolate frosting.
“It’s time to get ready for bed,” Nana said to Shawn. “Go take your bath.”
“You both need a bath,” Lance laughed.
Nana looked at Marc, “He’s right. You need a bath too. Off you three go. I’ll have a treat for you when you’re all squeaky clean.”
Marc smirked at Lance as he and Shawn headed upstairs to the bedrooms.
“Come on Lance,” Shawn called out. “It’s bath time.”
Shaking he head he followed behind. At the foot of the stairs he picked up his and Marc’s bag.
Marc put Shawn down when they got to the top of the stairs. “Go get your pajamas and clean underpants.”
“Okay,” Shawn said as he ran to his room.
Marc took his bag from Lance. “We’ll be in here,” Marc said pointing to the room next to Shawn’s.
After turning on the light Marc put his bag on the queen size bed. Turning to Lance he saw relief on his face.
“Nana is going to let us sleep together?” Lance asked.
Marc nodded.
A smile crept across Lance’s face.
“Forget it James. Nana’s bedroom is right below us.”
Lance’s hopes and face fell with that news.
Marc pulled Lance into a hug. “We can still cuddle.”
Lance hugged back. “I’ve missed cuddling with you.”
“Come on slow pokes,” Shawn said from the door. He was standing in the door way holding his pajamas. And he was bare assed necked. “We can’t have our treats until our baths are done.”
“Can you go start the water?” Marc asked.
Shawn nodded and turned to leave. “I can do that.”
When Marc turned his attention back to Lance he was met with a big grin.
“What?”
“He definitely is your son,” Lance chuckled.
“What do you mean?”
Lance reached down and rubbed his hand across the bulge of Marc’s pants. “He is going to grow up and be hung, just like his daddy.”
Marc blushed and felt himself start to harden. In a move to change the subject Marc said, “Come on, you just got to experience giving a five year old a bath. Grab us some dry clothes, we’ll need them.”
Upon entering the bathroom they found Shawn leaning over the side of the tub playing in the water.
Marc gave Shawn’s bottom a light pat, “You’re suppose to be getting your bath ready not playing.” Marc put his hand into the flow of the water and found it ice cold. Reaching up he adjusted the temperature. “I think a little hot water will help get rid of the chocolate.”
Shawn giggled as he continued to play in the water.
“I take it you’ve been through this before?” Lance asked.
Marc nodded as he turned off the water. “Come on sport, in you go.”
Shawn was a typical five year old, he couldn’t just get into the tub but he had to dive into the tub, splashing water everywhere. Lance was wise enough to stand back when Shawn made his dive thus remaining dry while Marc was soaked.
Lance’s snickering caught Marc’s attention. “Why don’t you take your shower while I try to scrub this slippery kid.”
Lance hesitated a little before he shed his clothes and entered the shower stall.
Marc managed to get Shawn clean.
As he drained the tub Shawn asked, “Aren’t you going to take a bath?”
Wrapping a towel around Shawn Marc started to dry the boy. “I’ll take a shower when Lance is finished.”
Marc was whipping up the last of the water on the floor when Lance stepped out. “Next.”
The warm water was cascading over his face when Marc felt a draft as the door to the shower opened and closed. Opening one eye he looked down at Shawn. “Hey buddy, what are you doing?”
“Lance said big boys take showers. I’m a big boy and I want to take a shower.”
Marc held back his chuckle when he saw the seriousness on the boys face.
“You’ve already taken a bath.”
“But I want to take a shower like you.”
“Okay son. Let’s get you wet.” Marc turned the spray so it was falling on Shawn. Squatting down to be more on the boys level he put a dab of shampoo on Shawn’s hand. “Now close your eyes and wash your hair.”
Shawn did as he was told. “Work up a good lather. That’s good. When you’re done rinse the shampoo out of your hair.” While Shawn was washing his hair Marc took the opportunity to wash his hair.
Giggles told Marc that Shawn was done washing his hair. After a quick rinse Marc was able to open his eyes. Shawn’s hair was standing up in spikes. “Cool do, dude.”
Finally everyone was clean, dry and dressed. As they made their way downstairs the smell of fresh baked cookies drew they to the kitchen. Cold glasses of ice cold milk and warm chocolate chip cookies awaited them.
Marc wasn’t sure what it was that pulled him from his deep sleep. The warmth of Lance’s body spooned up behind him hadn’t change since they had drifted off to sleep. A soft whimper from somewhere in the room brought Marc fully awake. Shawn was standing a foot from the bed clutching his stuffed dog.
“Shawn, what’s wrong?” Marc asked softly.
“I had a bad dream,” he wept, running his dog across his face.
Marc pulled the blanket up as Shawn shot under the covers with his dad.
Shawn snuggled into Marc’s arms. “Is this better?”
Shawn nodded, as he pulled his dad’s arm tight around him.
“Can you tell me about your dream?”
“I don’t remember much about it. I only know I was lost. I couldn’t find anyone.”
“You’re not alone now. I’ve found you and I won’t ever let you feel you are alone.”
“We won’t let you feel alone,” Lance said over Marc’s shoulder. Reaching out he stroked Shawn’s shoulder.
Shawn twisted a little till he could see Lance looking over Marc at him. “Did you have a bad dream too?”
Lance gave Marc a questioning look.
“No son. Lance didn’t have a bad dream. Remember I told you about Lance and I being real good friends?”
Shawn nodded.
“We are living together. And we sleep in the same bed.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Enough questions for now,” Marc said. “Let’s try to get some sleep.”
Everyone settled down into their warm cuddle, quickly drifting off to sleep.”
Lance and Marc were finishing off the breakfast dishes when Shawn cried out, “There is a van in the driveway.”
“Do you know who it is?” Marc asked.
Shawn was looking out the window when he sucked in his breath. Looking at Lance then back out the window his eyes got real big. “*Nsync is here!” he shouted.
“You know what? You’re right,” Marc said as he looked out the window over Shawn’s head.
The front door of the house opened as Sara and the guys got out of the van.
“Have any trouble finding the place?” Marc called out as he bound down the steps.
“No, Dad gave us real good directions,” Sara said as Marc gave her a hug.
Justin was the next to greet Marc, “Hey bro, how’s it going?”
“A lot better little brother,” Marc said as he gave Justin a hug. Like wise, he was greeted by each of the others and they each exchanged hugs.
Nana was standing in the open door. “Where is your manners?” she called out. “Invite your friends in.”
Marc led the way into the house. Nana, Lance and Shawn was waiting for them in the living room.
“I’d like everyone to meet my grandmother; Elizabeth Hartland. But everyone calls her Nana. . . . Nana, this is my sister; Sara Morgan. And these four are me best friends and brothers; Chris Kirkpatrick, Joshua Chasez, Joey Fatone, and Justin Timberlake”
Everyone greeted Nana.
Marc looked around the room before he spotted Shawn hiding behind Lance. The small hand clutching Lance’s pant leg gave him away. Crouching down to Shawn’s lever Marc asked. “What’s this? Have you became shy all of the sudden?’
Shawn buried his face into Lance’s pant leg.
“Come on son, they wont bite.” Slowly Marc managed to pry Shawn from Lance’s leg. Picking him up in his arms he turned to the group. “Shawn I want you to meet your aunt Sara.”
“Hello Shawn, I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
“Hello,” Shawn said as he smiled shyly.
“Do you know who these guys are?” Marc asked.
Shawn nodded. “That’s JC, that’s Chris, that’s Joey, and that’s Justin.”
“That’s right. And they are also family. They are each your uncles.”
“Really?”
“That ’s if you’ll have us as uncles,” Justin said as he came closer. Your Dad is my best friend and my big brother. I’d be honored to be your uncle.”
Shawn smiled. “I’d like that Uncle Justin.”
Justin held out his arms and Shawn went over to Justin giving him a hug.
That’s the way it went with each of the guys. Shawn stole the hearts of his four new uncles and his new aunt Sara.
Shawn was so excited, he showed everyone his bedroom and all the *Nsync posters hanging in his mothers room. Everyone was sitting in the kitchen visiting. Shawn crawled onto his Dads lap.
“How you doing son” Marc asked.
“I’m not sure. It use to be Nana, Mama, and me. Now I got a lot more family.”
“You’ve kind of hit the jackpot there son.”
“I was so happy when I got you and Grandpa Tom. And now I have a lot of new aunt and uncles. . . . . Is Lance a uncle?”
“Lance could be another uncle if you want. But I’ve told you that he is more than that.”
“Well, what will he be?”
Marc pulled the boy tighter to him. “Lance and I live in the same house. When you come to stay with us he will be there to help raise you.”
“Will he be like another dad?”
“Yes, he will.”
“But you’re my dad.”
“Yes, I am your dad. And that will not change. But Lance is going to be a big part of you life. He will be there to love you and hold you when I’m not around.”
“Then he is going to be my dad too?”
“Yes.”
A smile spread across Shawn’s face. “Cool! Two dads. . . Will I call him dad too?”
“If you want. But you understand you can only call him that when we are home.”
“What do I call him when we are not at home?”
“You can call me Lance or James if you want,” Lance said joining in on the conversation.
“What does my dad call you?”
“When we are out in public he calls me Lance. But when we are not out in the public he calls me James.”
Shawn thought about that as he looked at his other uncles. “I know. In public I’ll call you Uncle Lance like I call my other uncles. When it’s just us I’ll call you James, like dad does.”
“That should work,” Marc said. "And with Lance you get a bonus.”
“What kind of bonus?”
“You get some more grandparents. You have a Grandma Diane and a Grandpa Jim.”
“Wow!”
Lance laughed at Shawn’s expression. “Let’s not forget my sister. You also get a Aunt Stacy and her husband Uncle Ford.”
“More aunts and uncles?”
“Yeah, more aunts and uncles,” Marc chuckled.
“Boy, that’s a lot of family,” Shawn gushed.
Marc gave Shawn a hug. Looking to Lance he noticed an odd expression on his face. Then it hit him. “Shawn, there is one more member to the family we haven’t told you about.”
“Who?”
“His name is Bobby. He’s your big brother.”
“I have a big brother?”
“Bobby is thirteen and is living with his grandmother in Los Angeles.”
“Why is he living there?”
“His grandmother is very ill. He is staying close to her until the time comes to move in with Lance and me.”
“Do you think he will like me?” Shawn asked.
“He is going to love you son. Why don’t we give him a call and let him know he’s a big brother now?”
Bobby picked up the phone by the third ring, “Hello.”
“Hey son, how is it going?”
“Dad! I’m doing okay. I was wondering when you would call.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t called sooner. I’ve been out of town for the last week.”
“Where are you now?”
“A little town called, Lake City, Minnesota.”
“Why are you there?”
“Earlier in the week your Grandpa Tom and I came here to meet what’s left of my family.”
“You found your family! That’s great Dad.”
“Yes it was great. It was my grandmother that saw me while I was on Rosie’s show.”
“Does that mean I get another grandmother?”
“Actually Nana would be your great-grandmother,” Marc chuckled.
“I’ve never had one of those.”
“There is something else you haven’t had before.”
“What’s that?” Bobby asked.
“How about a little brother?”
“What?” Bobby asked as an uneasiness swept across him.
“I found out that I had a five year old son, his name is Shawn.”
“You have a son,” Bobby said softly. “That’s great.”
Marc could hear the change in Bobby’s voice. “No Bobby. I have two sons. This is not going to change anything between us.”
“It won’t? But he is your real son.”
“And you are my son also. You are my first son and that is something special to me.”
“Thanks Dad,”
“Are you up to being a big brother?” Marc asked.
Susan was sitting in her room when there was a light rap on her door. “Come in.”
A frowning Dr. Edwards entered the room.
“Hi doc.”
“Susan. How are you feeling today?”
“I’m feeling okay.”
“Then why didn’t you take your therapy today?”
“That stuff makes me feel worse. Besides, today is my birthday and my son is coming to celebrate my birthday with me. I want to be able to enjoy him and keep down my birthday cake.”
“Well for today we can skip the therapy but I want you back on it tomorrow,” the doctor said.
“Tell me something doc. Has my tumor shrunk any?”
“No. We’ve just slowed it down some.”
“It’s still there and in the end it will kill me. Won’t it?”
“Yes.”
“If I stop the therapy, how much time will I have?” Susan asked.
“There is no way to tell. It may take a couple weeks before we see increased growth in the tumor. Once that starts it could take a matter of weeks before you loose your sight. After that, the end should come quickly.”
“If I continue with the therapy how much time will I have?” Susan asked.
“There’s no way to know. We’ve slowed the growth of the tumor.”
“With the therapy would I get another month than I would with out?”
“It’s possible you could last that long.”
“Possible, but not luckily,” Susan said. “And Doc, the whole time I will be feeling like shit. I’m tired of feeling like shit all the time. So I’ve decided to spend the rest of my time enjoying what time I have left. No more therapy.”
Nana had made arraignments to use the sun room for Susan’s birthday party. Marc went with Shawn to get Susan from her room.
Susan could hear Shawn’s voice as he came down the hall. “Happy Birthday Mama.”
“Thank you baby,” Susan replied as Shawn lean in to give her a hug.
“Happy Birthday Susan,” Marc said as he also gave her a hug.
Marc pushed Susan’s wheelchair down to the sun room.
Susan spotted Nana standing next to a woman she didn’t know. Before Susan could say anything voices came from the left side of the room. The voices were singing Happy Birthday. Susan turned to see who was singing when she let out a high pitched shrill when she recognized it was *Nsync singing to her.
After Susan calmed down some, Marc made the introductions. Introducing Sara and each of the guys. Another round of happy birthday was sung when Nana came forward with the birthday cake, topped with twenty-three candles. Susan, with Shawn’s help managed to blow out all the candles. Cake and ice cream was dished up for everyone.
The warmth of the sun shining through the windows was the perfect match for the good feelings filling the room. Shawn stayed close to his mom the whole afternoon.
Shawn had made a card for his mom. “Happy birthday Mama,” Shawn said as he held out his card.
“Why thank you baby,” Susan smiled as she took the card. She laughed when she opened the card. “I see you have worked a long time on this. It’s so beautiful.”
“I tried to get you something special,” Shawn said sadly. “But it didn’t get here in time.”
Marc sent a questioning look toward Nana.
“He sent for a picture of *Nsync.” She whispered.
“What are you talking about?” Marc asked Shawn. “You wanted to give your mom *Nsync, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I wanted to give her a picture of them.”
“We know,” Justin said. “We got your letter, but we knew you wouldn’t get a picture in time. So we thought that this substitute would work.”
Shawn looked at his dad. Marc gave him a nod.
Shawn beamed at his mom.
Susan pulled Shawn into a hug, “Thank you baby, it was a perfect gift.”
Marc had stepped out into the garden for a bit of fresh air. He was happy that Susan was having such a great day, but in the back of his mind he knew this would be her last birthday.
He began to wonder if there was something he could do to help her.
“No son, you can’t help her.”
Marc looked around wondering who had spoken. “Who said that?”
“I did,” came a chuckle beside Marc. Marc waived his arm through the air next to him.
“You’re losing it there,” Marc said to himself.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you believe your ears?”
“Chris, if this is one of your jokes, I don’t think it’s funny.”
“Why do you think Chris is behind this?” the voice asked.
Marc stood up and looked behind the tree next to the bench. Finding no one he turned back to the bench finding a man dressed in white sitting there.
“Is this better?” The man asked.
“Where did you come from?” Marc demanded.
“I was sitting here before you sat down.”
“No you weren’t. I would have seen you.”
“I didn’t want you to see me until now.”
“What were you, invisible?” Marc asked as he sat down.
“Yes,” the man said then he popped out of existence.
“Oh God!” Marc said as he slid to the end of the bench.
The man reappeared, “No, the name is Uriel.”
“How, how did you do that?” Marc stammered.
“It’s easy, when you’re an angel.”
“Yeah, sure,” Marc said as he looked around for a nurse. He hoped she would have a straight jacket for this nut case.
“I’m not a nut case,” Uriel said.
“How?”
Uriel shrugged, “I know everything you say or think.”
‘You can’t,” Marc thought.
“He can Boo. Why don’t you believe him,” Ryan said as he appeared in front of his brother.
Marc gasped when he saw Ryan. Hesitatingly Marc reached out to his brother.
Ryan stepped back out of Marc’s reach. “Don’t Boo. I’m not really all here.”
Marc dropped his arm. “Aren’t you real?”
“You know I am Boo. I’m not strong enough yet to appear in this world. Only with Mr. Uriel’s help can I be here.”
Marc sighed as he looked at his little brother. “I believe you Ry.”
Justin was looking out the window watching Marc when Lance joined him.
“What’s going on?” Lance asked.
“I think he’s lost it,” Justin said softly. “He’s sitting there talking to himself.”
Lance glanced back out at Marc but the sight of a young boy made him catch his breath.
“There he goes again. Talking to thin air.”
“I’ll take care of him Justin,” Lance said as he turned to go. Unfortunately Justin followed behind him.
Marc looked up as Lance and Justin approached.
“Don’t worry son, your friends can’t see or hear us,” Uriel said.
“Hey, guys, what’s up?” Marc asked.
“That’s what we were wondering,” Justin said. “We saw you sitting out here talking to yourself and wondered if you were all right?”
‘Shit!’ Marc thought.
“Watch your language young man,” Uriel said. “Your friends can’t hear us.”
“I’m all right bro. I have so much going on in my head right now, I find it helps me to straighten it out if I just say it out loud.” As he talked he noticed Lance look at something beside him and smile.
Lance was right the little boy next to Marc was Ryan. And for some reason Justin couldn’t see him.
Ryan smiled up at Lance before giving him a small wave.
Lance’s smile grew. “See, Justin. Didn’t I tell you it wasn’t anything,”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Justin said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “You coming back in?”
“Yes, I’ll be back in a little bit.”
Justin went back to the sun room.
Marc looked at Lance. “What are you looking at?” Marc asked.
“I think I’m looking at your little brother.”
“You can see Ryan?”
“Of course he can,” Ryan giggled. “Hi, James.”
“Hi, Ryan.”
“You can hear him too?”
Lance nodded.
“Can you see anyone else?”
“Just you, love. Should I see something else?”
Marc looked at Uriel. ‘Can I tell him about you?’
Uriel nodded as he stood up.
“Well, there is someone or something else here. He said his name is Uriel and he said he is an angel.”
“Son, I think it best that your partner sit down,” Uriel said to Marc.
Marc reached out taking Lance’s hand. “Sit with me James.”
Lance sat next to Marc on the bench. Ryan had moved around so he was standing in front of them. “What’s going on?”
“Uriel said it was best that you be seated before whatever is going to happen, happens.”
Before Lance could ask what was going to happen an man appeared behind Ryan. Marc felt Lance jump when Uriel appeared.
“Hello, James,” Uriel said with a smile. “I hope you don’t find my appearance too upsetting?”
Lance gawked; wide eyed at the man before him. The slight squeezing of his hand by Marc helped get his brain working again. “Take a deep breath James,” Marc said softly. “It'll help.”
Lance looked at Marc, “Did you say Uriel?”
Marc nodded.
“Wow! This is big.”
“Yeah, meeting an angel is kind of big,” Marc agreed.
“Boo, he’s not just any angel. He’s an Archangel, one of the top guys.”
Marc looked at Uriel with a raised eyebrow.
Uriel, shrugged. “I have many jobs.”
“And which one brings you here?” Marc asked.
“A job as a guardian angel.”
Marc looked across the garden at the sun room. “You’re Susan’s guardian angel, right?”
“No. I’m yours.”
“Are you the reason I didn’t die with my family?”
“No son, I’m not allowed to interfere with HIS plan. You didn’t die that day because HE has plans for you.”
“HE had plans for me! What about my family? What kind of plan did HE have for them?”
Uriel frowned, “That’s not for us to ask. But if you must know their existence continues according to HIS plan.”
“He’s right Boo,” Ryan said. “When you cross over you don’t just float around on clouds all the time.”
“What kind of job do you do Ryan?” Marc asked.
“I’m still in training,” Ryan said with pride. “I’m helping Mr. Uriel.”
“You’ve been watching me?”
“Not all the time. Just when Mr. Uriel checks in on some of his other charges. Davey was the luck one. He became a guardian angel real quick.”
“Really? With no training?”
“You might say he got on the job training,” Uriel said.
“Yeah,” Ryan giggled. “He got, on the job training.”
“What aren’t you telling me little brother?”
Ryan looked to Uriel. Uriel gave a slight nod of his head.
“Davey, is Shawn’s guardian angel.”
Marc didn’t know what to say. Lance could see that Marc’s eyes were misting up. Lance tightened his grip on Marc’s hand.
“We need to go,” Uriel announced. Turning to Marc, “I know how much you want to help Susan. There’s nothing you can do to change what is meant to be. The best thing you can do for her is to let her know that Shawn will be loved and taken care of.”
Marc nodded, “I can do that.”
“We can do that,” Lance corrected Marc.
“Yeah, we can do that.”
Uriel nodded then vanished.
“I got to go Boo.”
“I know Ryan, it’s been cool talking to you again.”
Ryan gave a little wave the vanished too.
“You ready to get back to the party?” Lance asked.
Marc nodded, “I want to spend some more time with Susan.”
TBC
I had hoped to have this out before the end of the year but work and life got in the way. I hope everyone had a good and safe holiday. I want to thank all of you out there for your support of my writings. A lot of you have been with me from the beginning; almost four, going on five years. And a lot of you have just found these stories. All I can say is thank you all for your support.
Copyright ©2000-2005 Phoenix Publishing.