Chapter 21

The Grammy’s were few awards away from being over but it seemed as if they had only just entered. True to their name, Lavish looked absolutely gorgeous in their evening wear! Donatella had really outdone herself for the girls.

Becky in a baby-blue, ankle-length silk dress that tied up around the neck, leaving half of her back bare. Flowers embroidered along the side of the slit, which showed off her tan and her to-die-for legs.

Jane was in a beautiful, black, velvet, knee-length skirt, with a matching white blouse and black satin wrap, her hair up in a neat yet stylish bun. Platforms topped off the outfit, which really showed off her figure.

Michelle was dressed in a light lavender, also ankle-length dress, simply sewn to form a pattern at the neckline, two layers of satin and chiffon fabric for the skirt, with white heels to match, and hair up in an elegant French twist.

Tasha, wearing a pair of flare-type, leather pants that hugged her in all the right places, a halter top with a long-sleeved, unbuttoned shirt over it was definitely the most contemporary of them all. Her shoulder-length brown hair was let down and 3-inch high clicks to add to the stylish outfit.

Melissa was in a blush-colored, form-fitting dress that criss-crossed at the back. Miles of beautiful satin flowed from her shoulders down to the floor. A design of tiny flowers on vines started at the center below the cleavage and split into two symmetrical sides all the way down. Her long black hair hung about her shoulders and down her back in curls. Finally, a pair of white, high-heel sandals to match.

All guys were dressed very sharply in black and white tuxes, ties and all! They looked simply divine!

Gia was performing and presenting, as were *NSYNC. Lavish and the Backstreet Boys couldn't because they had performed at the American Music Awards. But they did present. Lavish presented the Best R&B Album to Whitney Housten—a huge privilege for Melissa, considering she adored Whitney.

Gia was wearing a black, body-fitted dress with no straps or sleeves. A simple design with little clear bead-like circles at the chest and a high slit going up the right. Her hair was put up and curled at the front in skinny ringlets, framing her face.

"And now, the nominees for Artist of the Year..." announced Christina Aguilera, last year's winner. Clips of DoubleA, Mandy Moore, ForeverPure, and Lavish played.

"...And the winner is..." All three groups sat on edge of their seats. "LAVISH!" Christina screamed.

Everybody in that section got up and congratulated them. The girls, however, just sat there, shocked, before standing up and getting to the podium.

"Omigod...you guys, this is so..." Tasha started out, only to get stuck with her words. "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say," she said, turning around, happy tears forming in her eyes.

The other four were in the same state, but Michelle took over. "I think what my friend Tasha is trying to say is, thank you! First and foremost, to God, our family, our friends, the guys in that row over there! We love you, babies!" she said, pointing toward the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.

"Also our wonderful staff: producers, choreographers, dancers, writers, publishers, editors, directors, all of you, our fans...because..." added Becky.

Melissa took over from there. "Because without you, we wouldn't be standing here! You guys are so great, we love you from the bottom of our hearts..." She paused for a breath and smiled. "Keep listening to the music and keep the vibe alive! A wise young person once told me, 'We all sing in the same language--no matter what the type or genre, music is the key.'"

"THANK YOU!!" they said in unison and walked off the stage, carrying their first-ever Grammy.

So far, BSB has received 3 awards for Best Pop/Rock Duo/Group, Best

Collaboration, and Best Pop/Rock single.

*NSYNC has gotten awards for Best Dance Group, Best Soundtrack, and Best Pop/Rock Ballad. The big one, Pop/Rock Album of the Year is still to come.

Meanwhile, Gia was getting ready for her performance up next.

"G!" Melissa called to her friend as she and the other girls appeared backstage. Gia hurried over to her friend and hugged her tight.

"Congrats! Omigosh! I am so proud of you guys!" she exclaimed.

Melissa just beamed. Her face was glowing; she was so happy. "We couldn’t have done it without you. Are you ready?"

Gia took a deep breath. "As ready as I’ll ever be." she replied. After everything had calmed down, Jane had revealed her secret of Gia’s deal with Jive and they had since then worked on and were getting ready to release Gia’s first solo album—Phoenix. They had chosen the name "Phoenix" because amidst all that had happened, Gia had risen like a Phoenix from the ashes. Most of the songs on the album were ones written by different people in the group, with Max Martin producing. It promised to be a smash!

"Wait! You still haven’t told me what you’re singing yet." Melissa said as someone came to tell Gia that it was almost time for her performance.

She smiled at Mel. "You’ll find out soon enough. Now get out of here!"

Melissa smiled and hurried back to her seat with her friends; she didn’t want to miss this.

Chapter 22

As Melissa sat down in her seat next to Nick again, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. "Mmmmm! I am so proud of you!" he whispered when they pulled apart.

Mel smiled and touched his cheek. "Thanks! I’m proud of you, too."

The group traded congrats, hugs, and kisses until Carson Daly announced the next performer.

"She’s a beautiful young lady who has emerged like a perfect diamond from the fire of trials. Please, everyone, welcome Gia McLean!"

The stage was set up to look like a gorgeous garden with a huge gate in the middle. Suddenly, Mel heard the strains of a beautiful ballad. A ballad she knew! Her eyes got wide as Gia emerged from the gateway and began to sing beautifully!

"When love comes close and then pulls away,

And I’m left without a word to say.

But, inside, my heart is slowly breaking;

My perfect world this pain is unmaking.

And, then, your hand wipes away my tears;

You know and understand my fears.

Then it hits me like a ray from the sun!

You are the only one!

It was the song they had written together! As Gia sang, the whole group felt tears well up in their eyes as they remembered what she had been through—what they all had been through. And how they had survived: by depending and leaning on each other.

Mel saw the tears course down AJ and Denise’s faces unheeded as they drank in every detail of their little sister and daughter. She felt Nick’s fingers slip around hers and hold them tightly. They smiled at each other and listened to Gia sing.

The whole crowd as silent as they listened to this beautiful 16-year-old girl belt out a heart-felt melody. What they couldn’t see, though, were the tears that filled Gia’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks as she sang from the very depths of her heart. This was for her friends and for her brother.

As the last gorgeous note rang away into oblivion, the entire building erupted with applause and cheering!! AJ and the others were on their feet in a nanosecond and the rest of the crowd followed suit, giving Gia an enormous applause!

She smiled and blew her friends a kiss before exiting the stage.

"One award to go." JC said as Carson appeared again.

"We love you, Carson-man! Wooooo!" Chris yelled out.

Melissa giggled and swatted his arm. "Be quiet, Squeaks!"

He just gave her that silly smile of his. "Just trying to lighten the tension."

Just then, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey walked up to the podium. "2000 was a year of new beginnings, the setting of new records, and the starting of new lives. The Grammy for Album of the Year represents the blood, sweat, and tears of the best of the best. Here are the nominees!"

Tasha grabbed Kev’s hand and held on for dear life. This was it! The entire two rows fell silent as everyone waited. Who would win? BSB or *NSYNC?

Nick began to open the envelope. "And the winner is...."

You could practically see the evil gleam in Jessica Simpson's eyes as she

paused for a dramatic effect. "So Nick, who do you think it's gonna be?" she asked her boyfriend.

Nick played along. "My bets are on *NSYNC; sorry Backstreet Boys!"

"*NSYNC? I'm rooting for the 'Boys!"

"Britney Spears has a good chance, too. As does Christina Aguilera." Nick pointed out.

"Well, we'll just have to see, won't we?" Jessica nodded skeptically, opening up the card.

The nominees for that category leaned forward, anticipating the moment.

"And the 2001 Grammy winner for Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year goes to...huh? Will ya look at that?"

"What is it?" questioned her boyfriend.

She showed him the card.

"Well, I'll be darned! This is the first ever tie in the history of the Grammy’s!"

"The winners are the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC!" they cried together.

The guys couldn't believe it. A tie? A tie?! They could only imagine what the fans’ reactions were. Surely as surprised as they were, maybe even more.

"What are you guys waiting for? Get up there!" urged Denise.

"Right! I-I, let's go guys!" said AJ, walking towards the stage. So the two groups made the way through the aisle, shaking hands along the way. The groups couldn't choose who should be the first to say their thank you's.

"Guys? Say something!" reminded Nick Lachey.

Since there were 10 people up onstage, they chose a representative for their group. Kevin for Backstreet, JC for *NSYNC.

"Well, we always, always do this, but I think it's in order to thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and God our Heavenly Father," started Kevin.

"We can't forget everybody that's worked hard, putting their faith in us--both of us these past times, putting up with us, even—so to our crew, you guys are the best!" added JC.

"Our friends and family..." trailed off Kev.

"And our oh-so-loyal and faithful, not to mention beautiful girlfriends!"

"They've stood by us through everything! And we can't possibly thank them enough. We love you."

"The fans...wow. What do we have to say about the fans? You guys never cease to amaze me." JC grinned widely.

"But we have someone else to thank this year. She's recently been put through something a 16-year-old—or anybody for that matter—should never have to go through." Kev felt his throat tighten a bit.

"She's stuck with us ever since we met her—through good times and bad. All thanks to Melissa Gibson for introducing her to us." JC was in total agreement.

"She's also promoted some work for us, AND has opened doors to people who never liked or even hated "our kind of music"." reported Kevin, putting up quotation marks.

"This young lady is what has held everything together...give it up for the beautiful and talented, Miss Gia McLean!" they announced.

"Thank you to everyone." Kevin was beaming from ear to ear.

"Your love and support will never be forgotten."

"Thank you for 'Keepin’ the Backstreet Pride Alive'...and Staying *NSYNC!"

The rest of the guys said their short thank-you and walked off stage.

As soon as they got there, their girlfriends hit them with tearful kisses. They traveled backstage just as the guys were accepting their award. Soon, it was just a tear-filled, laughing, happy, party mood filled gathering!

"Well, there you have it! The 2001 Grammy’s! The first ever Grammy’s of the new Millennium; just a little trivia for you," ended this year's host, Carson Daly. "I hope you had as much of a great time as I did...good night Los Angeles!"

Everybody emptied the venue, and made their ways to the after-parties.

Chapter 23

It was in the wee hours of the morning that the group finally all assembled in their penthouse of a posh LA hotel. They had just returned from a happening after-party and had not yet discarded their evening finery. The girls were barefoot, carrying their shoes in their hands as they walked to the living room and the guys shed their jackets and ties at the door. The sixteen young people plopped down in the living room, still reveling in the most amazing evening of their lives.

"I can’t believe you guy TIED for the Album of the Year!! That is just tooooooooo unbelievable!!" Mel exclaimed from her seat on Nick’s lap.

He smiled as he played idly with one of her silky curls. "Yeah, tonight’s been like a dream."

"You did so beautifully, Gia! I’m so proud of you!" Becky said sweetly to her friend.

Gia smiled from her place over by AJ. "Thanks, Becks. I just thought the song fit after all we’ve been through."

"We’ve proven—once and for all—that we can last, no matter what the world throws at us! Together we stand!" Joey exclaimed fervently.

Michelle smiled. "Amen to that!"

AJ nodded. "Together we stand, now and forever."

"Let’s make a promise, right now, that we will always be there for each other!" Brian suggested.

"To hold each other up," added Lance.

"To help each other through the hard times....and the good times." chimed in Jane.

"Together we stand, now and forever." Kevin repeated AJ’s words, as if setting the promise in stone.

For a moment, the group just sat in silence and looked at each other. They had been to hell and back and, God helping them, had survived it.

"I never would have made it, you guys," Gia finally spoke. "I never would have made it without you all there with me. You put your lives on hold for me and I can never thank you enough!"

Melissa smiled and, leaving Nick’s lap, walked over and hugged her friend tightly. "We’ll always be there for ya, G. We’ll always be by your side."

"Always!" the others agreed, and it was a promise!!

As the night faded into morning, bringing a brand new day, these sixteen young people faced the world with a renewed purpose and stronger hearts. No matter what anyone said, together they stood—now and forever!

The End