| Intro Annabelle Cooper sat on a sofa in green room on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno set. With her blonde hair hanging in a ponytail, her emerald green eyes hidden behind sunglasses, Annabelle looked like any other 22 year-old in baggy clothes and dirty sneaker. Chapter 1 (the year 2005) 'I can’t believe I’m performing on Jay Leno! Annabelle shouted in her head.' Her smile grew each time she thought of stepping on the stage. By the time Lance sat next to her on the sofa, her smile touched her ears. “How ya holding up, Belle?” “I’m still trying to convince myself that I’m here. I’m so nervous about the performance.” Lance put an arm around her and whispered words of encouragement. “You’ll do a great job as always. Trust me; as your manager, I know these things.” Annabelle looked into Lance’s beautiful green eyes. “Thank you for believing in me, Jams.” Lance couldn’t help but smile at the use of the nickname. He remembered vividly the day he handed her a business card with his name printed incorrectly as Jams Lance Bass. “I have to go talk to someone. Try to get some rest” Lance gently removed his arm and placed a kiss on her forehead. Annabelle continued to sit on the sofa mentally preparing for the show when Justin walked into the room. “Hey Belle,” Justin said as he sat next to her “I hear you’re nervous. You should be.” Annabelle playfully hit Justin across the shoulder to let him know what she thought of his remark. Justin reacted by shoving her off the sofa. Before they knew what was happening, they were wrestling on the floor using their new WWF moves. Justin and Annabelle had formed a sort of brother-sister relationship while she toured with Nsync. With Justin Annabelle could act like a kid, and Justin felt the same about Annabelle. They constantly argued, but when things got serious, Justin would always be there for her. “Get a room!” Joey snickered as he entered the room. “Jo-Jo! You would say that!” Annabelle yelled as she pushed Justin away from her. “Now what does that mean” Joey asked with feigned innocence. “It means you’re a perv” Justin chimed in. “That one hurt Justin. Besides, Belly here loves me” Joey stated matter-of-factly. “Did you call me Belly?” Annabelle asked incredulously. Justin, Annabelle, and Justin suddenly burst into laughter. “Only you Jo-Jo!” “Well Joey, I guess we did our jobs. We made Belle forget about the big p-e-r-f-o-r-m-a-n-c-e” Joey gave Justin an odd look while he tried to figure out what Justin had spelled. Annabelle and Justin immediately erupted into more laughter. “Performance” Joey finally realized. “Yes Joey. Come on let’s go and leave Belle alone to get ready” Justin and Joey each gave Annabelle hugs and left the room. 'Only 2 more hours,' Annabelle hesitantly reminded herself. It was unusual for Annabelle to be so nervous, but somehow she knew tonight was special. “Hey Liberty Belle.” Belle looked up from her magazine to see Chris stroll in followed by JC. “Hi Chris, JC.” Chris and JC took seats on either side of her. “I just got a date with a producer.” Chris squealed like a little boy. “Well I’m very happy for you Chris. It’s about time you got out.” Annabelle teased. “So Jingle Belle, you almost ready. 1 hour 53 minutes and 32...31..30...29...” “I get the idea Chris. I’m feeling much better now that you’re here.” “Well I guess that’s my cue to leave” Chris said as he shot up. “I think I just saw my producer. I should go get her name or something. Good luck tonight Belle-Biv-Devoe”. Chris ran from the room without a second glance. “That was a quick visit,” Annabelle said as she turned to face JC “You were awfully quiet JC”. “I was waiting for him to leave” JC immediately bounded for the door and shut it closed. “Oh” Annabelle was finally able to mutter. JC took his seat next to her and pulled her close. “So Bella, I hear you were nervous” “Me Nervous? Never.” JC and Annabelle sat quietly for a few minutes before Belle asked, “JC, do you think they know?” JC looked down into Belle’s eyes and sighed. “No, Bella. They don’t know.” “I wish we could tell everyone; especially since...” Annabelle paused as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small diamond ring. “We’ll tell them soon. Don’t worry” JC soothed. JC pulled her to him and kissed her with so much passion and love. “I love you Bella” JC whispered huskily in her ear. “I love you too” He pulled her into another kiss. A few moments later JC broke the contact and reluctantly said good-bye. “We’re not done here,” he seductively promised before he left the room. With one hour left before show time, Annabelle began to dress for the show. “My life is so perfect,” Annabelle blissfully sighed, “I have 4 best friends, a promising career, and JC” Annabelle couldn’t help the huge blinding smile that formed on her face. Suddenly, as she put on her shirt, the phone rang. “Hello” Annabelle answered. “Miss Cooper? It’s Dr. Shaw ,the doctor you visited a few days ago” “Yes I remember you.” Annabelle sat on the sofa praying for the best. “Miss Cooper, I don’t know if this is bad news or good news, but I have your test results” Annabelle held her breath as she heard the life-altering results. “You’re pregnant, Miss Cooper." |
| Chapter One |