Chapter Twenty-Four “Birthday Party?” “Vanessa!” Aaron yelled as he came running into the Mathers’ house.  He had just ran the up the street like lightning. Vanessa was busy in the kitchen getting Hailie breakfast when she heard Aaron yelling at her. Automatically thinking something bad had happened she rushes to the door of the kitchen to look at the teen as he ran in her direction.  “What’s going on AC?” Aaron tried to catch his breath.  “Just…talked….to…my…agent.” he said between gasps of breath. Trying too hard not to laugh Vanessa walked to the panicking teenager, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down, Aaron. What happened with your agent?” The smile on the boys face would have been impossible to miss.  “He wants me to start going into the studio next month.” He exclaimed, practically jumping up and down. “I think Aaron had sugar cereal this morning.” Hailie said as he walked past them, drinking her orange juice. Vanessa had to laugh this time and gave Aaron a big hug. “That’s great, that really is some good news.” *****@***** “Marshall, does this shirt match these pants?”  AJ asked his fiancé while he looked at himself in the mirror. Marshall walked up behind AJ, putting his arms around his waist.  “It matches perfectly, and I think you’re beautiful.” AJ rolled his eyes and continued to look at himself in the mirror.  “Beautiful is the one thing I’m not, fat, humungous, whale sized. Those are things that I am, but beautiful, don’t think so.” Spinning AJ around in his arms, Marshall looked deep into his eyes. “I don’t want to hear you talking like that, do you hear me?  You’re absolutely beautiful.  Who gives a fuck if you can’t wear the same skin tight jeans that you could 8 months ago.  You’ve made it, you’re carrying a baby, and you are both perfectly healthy. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”  AJ said smiling big, leaning in to give Marshall a big kiss on the lips. Marshall moaned into the kiss, his hands moving down to cup AJ’s ass. AJ pulled back and rolled his eyes.  “We have to meet Nick and Justin in thirty minutes to go over the last minute plans for the party tonight. So, you better get whatever thoughts you had going through your head away, because nothing is going to come from that ass grab you just did.”  With that AJ smirked and walked out of the room. Going down the stairs just in time to see Aaron rush through the door like his ass was on fire. AJ stood on the steps, just wanting to watch and see what had gotten the teenager so excited. “It’s not polite to spy on people ya know.” Marshall whispered in his fiancés ear causing AJ to almost fall off the step. “Jesus Marsh, and didn’t you’re momma ever tell ya not to sneak up on people like that.” Marshall kissed the back of AJ’s neck before going down the steps again, this time the one who was smirking.  If AJ could be a tease, so could he. *****@***** An hour later both couples were sitting around the Timberlake dinning room table talking about party plans. “You don’t think the coffin is too much? I mean this is Howie we’re talking about here. He never really got into the jokes too much?” Justin said reading over what AJ had put down for ideas. AJ shrugged, looking down at his own list.  “It is a ‘death day’ party, Ju.” Justin nodded his head and continued to read down the list.  Laughing a little when he came to something particularly funny. “So, all we are going to do is have Vanessa blindfold him and bring him to that morgue on 5th street?  Marshall asked his fiancé, who it now seemed had WAY too much fun planning this party. AJ nodded smiling big. He was very proud of himself for coming up with the idea. “Why exactly are we tying a balloon to his belt loops?”  Justin asked, once again totally confused. “That’s just to annoy him even more, cuz he won’t be able to get it off.” Nick said giggling like a crazy person. Justin rolled his eyes and laughed despite himself. “Why do I have a feeling that was YOUR idea?” “Because it was.”  AJ said rolling his own eyes, he happened to think that was just a little over doing it, but he wasn’t going to take the fun away from Nick, since they were instructed by Vanessa to plan it together. “What do you need us to do?” Marshall asked, slightly worried that AJ was taking on too much at his late stage in pregnancy. “Just show up and have fun.” Nick said, smiling at AJ, who in turn smiled back. “I can’t believe we’re having Howie’s party at a funeral home.” Justin mumbled, shaking his head. *****@***** “Aaron, why did daddy and papa choose to be gay?”  Hailie asked, as her older best friend pushed her on the swing set in her backyard. Aaron had no idea how to respond to that question.  “Hai, I’m not sure that’s something I can answer, but I do know one thing.” Hailie turned her head to look at Aaron. “Yeah?” “It’s that, I don’t think they chose to be gay, some people think being gay is something that a person chooses, but I personally think they were like…” He paused to try to figure out how to make this child friendly. “I don’t know, born that way, ya know? Kind of like how you were born a girl and I was born a boy.” Hailie thought about this for a second and smiled, giving Aaron the idea that he explained it well enough.  “Do you think you’re gay?” Aaron stopped pushing the swing, even more in shock then he was with the first question. “No, Hailie, I don’t think I’m gay. I happen to like girls a little too much to think of being gay.” This caused Hailie to start giggling.  “Good, cuz I think I like boys too much to be gay too.” *****@***** Vanessa watched Aaron and Hailie playing in the back yard as she talked to Howie on the phone. “Yeah, I’ll be over to your place at four.” //Howie sighed. “Are you sure you want to spend the night with an old geezer like me?”// Sighing back, Vanessa leaned back against the counter.  “You are not old, Howie. So, what you’re thirty, big deal.” // Howie sighed again. ”Well, I’ve gota go Nessa, see you tonight?”// “Of course, see you tonight.” Vanessa kissed the phone before Howie hung up to go spend the next two hours in a meeting from hell. She only hoped that Howie wouldn’t take too much offence to the party Nick and AJ were planning on throwing. *****@***** Aaron ran into the kitchen, water dripping off of his body and onto the tile floor. Vanessa rolled her eyes at the half naked, dripping teenager.  “What do you think you’re doing getting the kitchen all wet?” Aaron shrugged and walked to the fridge, getting out a diet coke.  “I was thirsty.” He said before taking a long gulp. “Has Nick called and said I can come home yet? I really wana tell him about my agent calling.” “He just called about fifteen minutes ago; they were about to leave Josh’s doctor appointment so I’m sure they are home now.” Running over and giving Vanessa a wet kiss on the lips, Aaron ran out of the house, not bothering to even put shoes on. Once he got down the street to his own house he ran inside, much like he had done that morning.  “Nick! You home?” Nick came out of the kitchen, drinking a can of coke, looking at Aaron like he had lost his mind.  “What’s going on? Vanessa said you were having fun swimming, wasn’t expecting to see you home.” Aaron laughed. “Why were you planning on fucking Justin and didn’t want me home?” Nick glared at his little brother.  “No, but even if I was that wouldn’t be any of you’re business, now are you going to tell me what the hell has got you running home without shoes on? “ “My agent called his morning….he wants me to start recording again.” Aaron said in one breath, showing off the famous Carter smile. “Well, that’s nice but you’re not going to.” Nick said as he turned around to head back into the kitchen. Aaron looked at his brother’s retreating back for a few seconds before he ran up behind him, pissed beyond belief. “And why the fuck not!” Nick turned around and once again looked at Aaron like he had lost his mind.  “You really think I’m going to let you start recording again when you can’t even prove to me you can stay home alone?” “You’ve never given me the chance! I’m not a fucking baby, Nickolas.  You can’t tell me what to do!” Nick snorted. “Like fuck I can’t.  I’m your legal guardian right now, which means I’m the one who signs the papers saying you can start recording. So, without my signature you’re doing nothing.” Aaron gritted his teeth.  “Well you know what, I fucking hate you!” he yelled at the top of his lungs before running up the backstairs to his bedroom. *****@***** “Don’t you think you were a little hard on him?”  Justin whispered to his fiancé as they walked up the steps to funeral parlor. Nick shook his head, not feeling he was wrong at all for what he said.  “No, he’s not ready yet.” Justin sighed, and turned to look at the sulking boy walking at least twenty feet behind them. “I am right ya know; just think what if this was Josh. Would you let him go out and start recording again, the life style that got him into doing the drugs, would you let him do that again?  It hasn’t even been a year yet.” “I never said you were wrong Nick.” Justin mumbled as he opened the door. Brian came running to the door wearing an all black suite, holding a bundle of black balloons.  “Hey don’t you guys look like death.” He laughed, handing the Timberlake-Carter clan each a black balloon. Nick, Justin and Aaron were also all dressed in black, since that seemed to be the dress code for the night. “Thanks Bri.”  Justin said looking around the room.  “This is seriously creepy guys.” AJ came waddling from the other side of the room.  “Why thank you, I told you it would all work out.” Just then Hailie came walking into the room crying. Nick automatically bent down in front of the girl.  “Hai, what’s wrong honey?” Hailie looked up and giggled before she started crying again. Marshall rolled his eyes at his daughter.  “AJ told her to pretend like somebody died, that’s why she’s crying.” Nick laughed and headed off to check on the cake. When Kevin walked into the room Justin nearly jumped out of his skin.  “Holy shit, Kevin you really need to tame down the costumes, you seriously look like the grim reaper. “Who’s Kevin?” Kevin said in a deep voice, trying to scare the curly blonde. “Hey guys, I think I saw Vanessa’s car pull up!” Leighanne shouted from the window. “Fuck, everybody to your positions!” Kristin exclaimed, running to crouch behind a chair. Everybody ran to where they were supposed to go. ******@***** “What the hell is going on?” Exclaimed Howie as he tried to get the blindfold off but Vanessa had a good grip on his arms. “Would you just shut up and let me lead you.” Howie mumbled a few choice words under his breath, but finally let his fiancé lead him up the stairs to the funeral.  He could tell Vanessa was opening a door, and once she had it opened he could hear weird music playing. “Ok, now I would really like to know what’s going on.” He whispered, feeling a little creepy. Vanessa looked around to see everybody standing in various places around the room. It took all her will power to not bust up laughing. This was too perfect.   It was almost too hard when Brian came up behind Howie and tied the balloons on Howie’s belt loop. That was her cue to take the blindfold off so she did. Howie looked around the room in total confusion.  They were in a funeral parlor; everything was there even the coffin. “What the fuck?” AJ walked up to Howie and handed him a piece of rolled up paper. “What is that?” “Its you’re official membership to the dead boybands society.”  AJ said smirking. Seeing the look of horror on Howie’s face Kevin, who now had his hood off, wrapped his arm around his old friend. “Hey, it’s not as bad as it seems. I’ve gotten used to this whole being old thing.  So welcome to the club old buddy.” “Hey anybody want death day cake?” Kristin called from the other side of the room, where the cake sat. It read, ‘Howie Dorough…1973-2003…RIP.’ Aaron laughed and raised his hand. “Oh, I do, since I don’t have to worry about the whole age issue for a very, very long time.” Just then Howie noticed the weird shadow that seemed to be following him and looked around to see the balloons.  Rolling his eyes at his friends he walked straight for the coffin, climbing in and closing the cover. ******@***** An hour later everybody was back at Howie and Vanessa’s house. Sitting around and opening presents. “OK, it’s time for Marshall and AJ’s present.” Brian said, handing Howie the gift. Marshall shook his head.  “I have no idea what it is, so if it’s alive and going to jump at you. I just wanted you to know I have nothing to do with it.” Everybody laughed as Howie opened up the gift. Once he saw what it was he rolled his eyes. “What is it?” Kevin asked from the other side of the room. Howie held up the magazine, making sure to place his hand in the right places. Leighanne spit out her sprite when she saw it. “Why the hell are you giving Howie an issue of Play boy! “ AJ laughed and slapped his knee like it was the funniest thing in the world. “Just thought it would be good to have for those long nights with Mr. Hand.” Nick quickly covered Aaron’s eyes, who for some reason were actually sitting next together. Aaron slapped Nick’s hand away. “Why the hell are you covering my eyes, it’s not like I have never seen pussy before!” he said looking at Vanessa, wiggling his eyebrows. The room went silent for a second. Howie, looking at Aaron in shock, not sure what to make of that comment and the way he looked at his fiancé.  until Hailie spoke up. “Ohh…are their kitties in that magazine.” She asked looking at her daddy. “I’ve always wanted a kitty.” “We’ll think about it honey.” Marshall said glaring at AJ, giving him the. ‘we’ll talk about it later.’ Look. “Hey, Howie open mine next” Aaron said throwing Howie his gift, acting like he hadn’t even said anything wrong. Howie took the gift, just hoping to get his mind off the topic.  When he opened the gift he figured out how wrong he was. “What is it?” Vanessa asked, almost afraid to by the look on her fiancés face. Almost scared to lift up the bottle but he did anyway. “You gave him Viagra!” Kevin exclaimed, looking at the teenager like he was insane. Aaron just shrugged. “Thought I would help the old man out, since I’m getting more then he is.” Vanessa couldn’t stand this anymore she stood up and yelled over the commotion in the room.  “Would you guys just give Howie a rest for Christ’s sakes?  I’m fucking pregnant, so that’s gota tell you that he’s finally gotten some!” With that she runs up the stairs with tears falling down her cheeks. The room went silent once again.  AJ looking at the ground, feeling like it was his fault Vanessa was upset.  “D, I’m really sorry.” Howie shook his head and smiled a big huge smile. “Don’t worry about it Aje…did you guys hear that! I’m going to be a daddy!” *****@***** Once everybody was gone, Howie walked up the stairs and into the bedroom he and Vanessa had yet to share. Tonight was going to be the first night. Something of a birthday present to himself.  “Honey, I’m sorry about earlier.” He said as he walked over to the bed where Vanessa was reading a magazine. Vanessa just shrugged and continued to read. “Not you’re fault what our friends say.” Howie sighed as he climbed onto the bed next to her.  “I know, but I still feel bad.” He whispered as he reached over and touched her stomach. “Is it true, what you said?” Turning to look at Howie, Vanessa smiled.  “Would I lie to you about something like that?” Howie shook his head and leaned over to give Vanessa a soft kiss.  “I think you should be more careful around Aaron though.” He said once the kiss was broken. Vanessa sighed.  “Nothing is going to happen between us, he’s fifteen years old for Christ sakes.” “Exactly, do you have any idea what goes on in the minds of fifteen year old boys?” Howie exclaimed, sitting up on the bed more looking over at Vanessa.  “Maybe you should wear less showy clothes around him or something.” Vanessa rolled her eyes.  “Right, I’ll make sure not to wear my showiest pare of jeans and t-shirts.” “That’s not what I mean.” Howie exclaimed again, getting frustrated.  “Its just he sees you in your pajamas and everything. Again Vanessa rolled her eyes.  “Ok, I’ll make sure to wear my footed pajamas instead of the teddy tomorrow.” Hearing Vanessa say that brought Howie back to reality.  “Well, maybe you could change into those footed pajamas, but well, can’t the teddy come out and play tonight?” he asked wiggling his eyebrows. Vanessa smirked and opened the robe she was wearing, showing Howie the exact thing he wanted to see. *****@***** “I wonder what got into Aaron tonight.”  AJ said as he climbed into bed next to Marshall. Marshall shrugged and turned out the light, exhausted from the day. “I don’t know, but whatever it is has to stop. I mean he’s around Hailie all the time. Hearing stuff like that worries me.” AJ nodded and sighed. “We’ll just watch out and see what happens.” Turning onto his side, Marshall looked at AJ in the moonlight.  “You know what really shocked me though was what Vanessa said. I mean, did you have any idea that she and Howie were sleeping together?” AJ shook his head. “I had no idea, they sure fooled me.” Marshall giggled and scooted closer to AJ.  “Yeah, well I do remember you promising me something that required being in bed, but didn’t mean sleeping.” Laughing, AJ climbed on top of Marshall, leaning in for a passionate kiss. *****@***** “I don’t think I’ve ever heard Aaron talk like that before.”  Leighanne mumbled once she and Brian were settled in bed. Baylee fast asleep in his own room. Brian yawned and nodded.  “I don’t think I have either. That kid used to be so nice. Maybe it’s just that we aren’t used to seeing him as a teenager. He’s not a little boy anymore.” “That’s true, but I still don’t think its right that he is so comfortable talking about things like that…especially in front of Hailie.”  Leighanne pointed out. Brian rolled over on top of Leighanne and kissed her nose.  “Can we forget about Aaron for the night? We can worry about doing family intervention tomorrow; right now I have something else in mind.” Leighanne giggled and moaned as Brian started to place kisses down her neck. *****@***** “Do you think we should talk to Nick and Justin about Aaron?”  Kristin asked Kevin as they stripped out of their clothes. Kevin shrugged.  “I don’t know, I mean what he said tonight was totally uncalled for. But I don’t want to say anything to Nick just in case he gets defensive. You know how he gets when we try to tell him how to be a parent.” Kristin sighed as he stepped into the shower and turned on the water.  “I know, but Kev, he’s not old enough to be Aaron’s father and there will always be the problem that they are brothers not father and son. Aaron can’t see Nick as his authority figure.” Kevin climbed into the shower and pushed Kristin up against the wall softly, kissing her hard. “Kev, I can’t, remember I just gave birth two weeks ago.” “I know, but we can still have fun.” Kevin mumbled against his wives lips. *****@***** “I feel like I’ve failed.” Nick mumbled into his pillow. Justin kissed the back of Nick’s neck and sighed. “You haven’t failed honey. He’s just being fifteen.” “I never said shit like that when I was fifteen. I mean hell Justin, Hailie was in the room.” Turning Nick to look at him Justin kissed his nose this time.  “Just give him time; he was angry about earlier, I’m sure that’s all the problem is.” Nick sighed and nodded.  “You’re probably right.” “I know I’m right, I always am.” Justin, smirked leaning over to kiss Nick on the lips, finding himself being pulled on top of his fiancé. “Want something, honey?” Nick smirked back and nodded. “Mmm hmm, you.” *****@***** In his room all alone, Aaron sat at his desk, looking down at the mirror. Sprinkling some of the white powder onto it he grabbed the straw and sniffed the contents up his nose. TO BE CONTINUED….