“Yo, Boss. Phone call.” Justin Timberlake groaned and rubbed his face roughly before looking up at Joey his bartender/bouncer.

Justin drummed his pencil on the papers in front of him. “Can you just take a message, Joe? I’ve got to get these books finished before the bank closes and I have a meeting with a new liquor supplier in an hour.”

“Sorry man, wish I could but he says it’s important. Says he’s Jalynn’s teacher,” Joey offered with a shrug.

Justin nodded as he was reaching for the phone. “All right, thanks man.” He took a deep breath and pressed the blinking light on the phone. “Hello, this is Justin Timberlake.”

“Mr. Timberlake, this is Mr. Chasez, Jalynn’s teacher. We have a slight problem.” Justin sat up straight in his desk chair his back stiffening at the words from his daughter’s teacher. “Is Jalynn ok? Did something happen? Did she get hurt?” He demanded.

“No, Jalynn isn’t hurt, Mr. Timberlake. I’m sorry I frightened you. The problem is Jalynn’s mother. School let out a little over an hour ago and Mrs. Timberlake still hasn’t shown up.” Mr. Chasez sounded frazzled as he explained the situation to Justin.

Justin heaved an angry sigh. “Why didn’t you call sooner if she’s over an hour late?”

“Well she’s late quite often picking Jalynn up and I usually just wait with her. She’s never been quite this late before though.” Mr. Chasez clarified nervously.

“Shit.” Justin cursed, slamming his open hand down on the desk. “I’m leaving now. I’m on the other side of the city right now though and traffic is heavy. It’s probably going to take me an hour to get to the school. Will you be able to wait with her?”

“Well see, the thing is... umm, I give piano lessons in my home after school and I have a student that will be there in forty minutes waiting for me. I could take Jalynn home with me and you could pick her up there,” Mr. Chasez suggested.

Relief washed over Justin at the teacher’s words. “I hate to put you out like that but I don’t know what else to do. Gimme your address, I’ll leave right now and be there as soon as I can.”

Justin hastily scribbled the teacher’s address down and stopped long enough to tell Joey what was going.

~*~

“Is my daddy gonna be here soon?” Josh Chasez smiled down at the little girl standing beside him. “He’s on his way. He was on the other side of the city working but he said he’d be here as soon as he can.” He said, stroking the mass of dark curls on the little girl’s head.

Jalynn sighed and leaned into her teacher’s side. “Is he gonna take me back to my mommy’s house?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll just have to wait until your daddy gets here and see.” Josh said, wrapping an arm around the small girl and pulling her closer to where he sat on the piano bench.

“Mr. Chasez, is she gonna keep talking?” Josh’s student asked from the other side of him.

Jalynn sniffled and Josh hugged her closer to him. “We’ve only got ten minutes left. Why don’t we cut it short today. I see your mother’s already here. Tell her that we’ll go an extra ten minutes next Monday.”

The older girl shrugged her shoulders and stood from the bench. Jalynn peeked around Josh’s back and watched her slip into her coat, wave goodbye, and walk out the door. “She doesn’t like me.”

“What makes you say that?” Josh asked, turning to pull the little girl onto his lap.

Jalynn shrugged, “She just doesn’t. Nobody likes me. Not even my mommy and daddy.”

Josh stroked the dark ringlets on the little girl’s head and wiped the tears that streaked her face. “I’m sure that’s not true. Grace didn’t say that she didn’t like you. She just gets a little upset when she’s really trying to concentrate and something distracts her. And I know your daddy loves you. He was really worried on the phone and said he’d be here as soon as possible.”

“If he loves me then why won’t he let me live at his house?” Jalynn asked, sniffling more and burrowing her face into the crook of Josh’s neck.

Josh stood with the little girl in his arms and moved to sit in a more comfortable chair. “I don’t know, sweetie. I wish I could give you an answer to that but I just don’t know.”

“Mommy says Daddy doesn’t want me because I’m a nuisance and I’m always in the way. She says I’m naughty a lot too. But I’m not, Mr. Chasez. I promise I’m not. I try to be good and not get into trouble.” Jalynn sobbed into Josh’s neck.

Josh wrapped both arms around the sobbing child and held her tightly. “Oh, sweetie. I know you’re not a bad girl. You never get into trouble in school. You’re one of my favorite students. Everybody in school loves you. All of the kids in class wanna be your friends.”

Jalynn wrapped her arms tighter around Josh’s neck and began sobbing harder when the doorbell rang. “Don’t let Daddy take me back to Mommy’s house. Please Mr. Chasez, I promise I’ll be so good.” Josh barely understood her through the hiccupping and sniffling.

Josh stood up from the chair awkwardly. He held the child in his arms as he made his way to the door. His breath caught in his throat when he opened the door. He’d never met Jalynn’s father before, but all he had to do was look at the man to know that he was her father. He was also one of the most beautiful men Josh had seen in quite some time.

“Mr. Timberlake, please come in.” Josh said, stepping aside for Justin to enter.

Jalynn began sobbing harder the words coming from her mouth were totally incoherent.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” Justin asked, reaching out for his daughter.

Jalynn cringed away from her father’s touch and clung tighter to her teacher.

“She’s pretty upset,” Josh said, rubbing the child’s back.

“Yeah nice way to state the obvious. Why is she so upset?” Justin asked, anger beginning to tinge his voice.

Josh looked down at the little girl in his arms. “Jalynn, why don’t you tell your daddy what’s wrong.”

“Come on, Princess. Tell Daddy what’s wrong,” Justin cajoled, reaching out to rub his little girl’s back softly.

Jalynn turned a bit in Josh’s arms and peeked up at Justin. “Why don’t you love me, Daddy? I really tried to be good. I promise I did.”

“What?” Justin gasped and looked from his daughter’s tear streaked face to her teacher. “I do love you baby girl. Why would you think I didn’t love you?” He asked, one hand reaching up to run through the curls on top of his daughter’s head and the other still stroking her back.

Jalynn peeked up at her father again. “Mommy said you don’t because I get in the way of your club and I’m naughty.”

Justin swore under his breath before reaching out again and forcibly taking his daughter into his arms. “I do love you, baby. I’ll never stop loving you. I don’t know why your mommy told you that but it’s not true.”

“Don’t make me go back to Mommy’s house. Please, Daddy, I’ll be good I promise.” Jalynn sniffed and kissed Justin’s cheek.

Justin hugged his daughter tight. “No, baby, you don’t have to go back there if you don’t want to.”

“Promise, Daddy?” Jalynn said, looking up at her father with a hopeful smile.

“I promise, Jalynn. I’m not gonna make you go anywhere you don’t wanna go.” Justin said, looking over his daughter’s head at Josh.

“You wanna come in and sit down?” Josh asked, waving his arm behind him to indicate the living room.

Justin nodded and followed Josh into the room.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Josh asked as Justin sat down on the sofa with Jalynn in his lap.

Justin nodded, “Just some water, please.”

“What about you, Jalynn, you want some more juice?” Josh asked, pointing to her cup still sitting on the coffee table from earlier.

Jalynn nodded and buried her face in Justin’s chest.

Josh heard Justin whispering softly to his daughter as he left the room to get their drinks.

~*~

Josh smiled upon hearing the giggling of the little girl in the living room. He’d purposely stayed in the kitchen longer than necessary to give Justin time to talk to his daughter.

“Here we go.” Josh said, holding out the drinks as he entered the room.

“Thank you.” Justin said, blushing at the jolt of electricity that shot up his arm when his fingers brushed Josh’s.

Jalynn bounced off of Justin’s lap and hugged Josh’s waist. “Thank you, Mr. Chasez.”

“You’re welcome, Jalynn.” Josh smiled down at the little girl and rubbed the top of her head affectionately.

Justin smiled at his daughter and then up at her teacher. “Could we talk alone for a few minutes?”

Josh nodded at Justin and then knelt to speak to the little girl who had moved back to her father’s lap. “I have a playstation right over here in the cabinet under the TV. Would you like to play that while your daddy and I talk about boring stuff?”

“Yay!” Jalynn shouted, jumping from her father’s lap. “Do you have the Barbie game? Daddy bought me the Barbie game and it’s really fun.”

Josh chuckled, “No, sorry I don’t have the Barbie game. I do have a Toy Story game though that my nephew loves to play when he comes over. Would you like to try that?”

Jalynn nodded and followed Josh over to the cabinet where the playstation was.

“We can talk in the music room,” Josh waved a hand indicating that Justin should follow him.

Justin’s eyes couldn’t seem to decide whether to focus on the wild mop of dark curls that his fingers ached to bury themselves in or the ass encased in tight gray slacks that another part of his anatomy ached to bury itself in. He let them wander as he followed Josh into the music room.

“Thank you for taking care of Jalynn until I could get here.” Justin said as he moved to sit down on the love seat, the only piece of furniture in the room to sit on other than the piano bench.

Josh waved off Justin’s thanks. “It was no problem really. She’s a wonderful little girl.”

Justin rubbed his hands together nervously and cleared his throat before looking back up at Josh. “I’m taking Jalynn home with me tonight. I’ll bring her to school in the morning also. I’m going to go as soon as my attorney’s office opens in the morning and speak with him and then I’ll be back to check on her. Will I be able to stay at the school for a while tomorrow? I think it’ll kind of reassure her that I do want her with me if I’m there with her at school for a while.”

“Of course you’re more than welcome to come in and visit our class any time. I tell all of the parents the same thing. Of course I might put you to work if you come in too often,” JC said with a teasing grin.

Justin felt himself flushing when he thought about what kind of work he’d like to be doing for Josh. “I’d be happy to help out tomorrow. I just don’t wanna step on the toes of you or your assistant.”

“You wouldn’t be in the way at all, Mr. Timberlake. My assistant left two weeks ago to start her maternity leave and the school’s been short staffed so I haven’t had anyone to replace her.” Josh assured Justin.

Justin smiled and unconsciously leaned a bit closer to his daughter’s teacher. “I think I’d like to help out actually. I have a man at my club that can pretty much run everything. I could maybe come in a few times a week and help out once I get everything with my kids squared away. And please call me Justin.”

Josh’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’d totally forgotten that Jalynn has mentioned having a baby brother. And I’m Josh.” He said, squeezing Justin’s forearm.

“Yeah, my son’s not even a year old yet. I just don’t know what Britney was thinking doing this to Jalynn. And I hope to god wherever she is and whatever she’s up to, that she’s got Jacob with her and she’s taking care of him.” Justin rubbed his face roughly with both hands and sighed in exhaustion.

Josh hesitated a moment and then brought his hand up to rub Justin’s back. “Is there anything I can do for you tonight? Do you wanna use my phone and see if you can reach her?”

Justin shook his head and leaned into Josh’s comforting touch. “I tried everyone I could think of on my way over here. She doesn’t really have many friends. She’s even got her cell phone turned off.”

Josh and Justin both stood at once and headed toward the door when they heard Jalynn sniffling in the other room.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Justin asked, kneeling beside his daughter.

“I don’t want you to be mad at me, Daddy.” Jalynn said between sniffles.

Justin pulled the little girl into his lap. “I’m not mad at you, Jalynn. Why are you so upset again?”

“I forgot to give you the note from Mommy. She told me to give it to you when you get me tonight.” Jalynn said, wrapping her arms around Justin’s neck and burying her wet face in the curve of it.

“Oh, baby. I’m not gonna be mad at you for that. You forgot, it’s ok. Daddy forgets things sometimes too. Why don’t you just go get the note for me now, ok?” Justin asked, pulling his daughter away from him enough to see her face.

Jalynn nodded and climbed off of her father’s lap. Justin watched with trepidation as his daughter dug the note from her mother out of her Barbie backpack.

“Here it is.” Jalynn said, looking warily at the piece of paper that she held out for her father.

Justin thanked her and kissed her on the cheek before moving to sit on the sofa and read the note.

Justin balled the paper up and curled it into his fist. He was livid, and it was a damn good thing that Britney was already on a plane out of the country or he’d probably kill her.

“Jalynn, why don’t you go in and play on the piano for a few minutes.” Josh suggested. He watched the little girl trot off toward the music room before turning back to her father.

Josh sat hesitantly beside Justin on the sofa. “Are you ok?”

Justin nodded. “I will be. As soon as I have both of my kids in my home and that bitch is out of my life for good.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Josh touched Justin’s shoulder and was surprised when Justin leaned into the touch.

“I hate to ask anything else of you but I don’t know what else to do. I have to go pick up Jacob at my ex-wife’s mother’s house. I have a feeling it won’t be pleasant and I’d rather not drag Jalynn into the middle of it.” Justin looked at Josh, his eyes pleading for understanding.

Josh squeezed Justin’s shoulder. “Leave Jalynn here with me. She’ll be fine. Just go get your son.”

“Thank you.” Justin whispered and pulled Josh into a quick and impetuous hug.

Josh froze in surprise for a moment before returning the hug. “Go tell Jalynn that you’re going to get her brother so that she’s not afraid you won’t come back.”

Justin nodded and left the room.

~*~

“Will Daddy be here soon?” Jalynn asked from her perch on the stool at the island counter in the middle of Josh’s kitchen.

“He’ll be here as soon as he can. He went to pick up your little brother.” Josh told the little girl for what seemed like at least the twentieth time.

Jalynn went back to drawing on the piece of paper in front of her and watching Josh cook.

“I bet that’s your daddy now.” Josh said, smiling at the little girl when the doorbell rang.

Jalynn followed Josh down the hallway to answer the door.

“Daddy, you brought Jacob!” Jalynn yelled in excitement when she saw her father standing on the doorstep holding her baby brother.

Justin chuckled rubbing his daughter’s hair. “Yes I brought Jacob. And we should be going and get out of Mr. Chasez’ hair. We’ve interrupted his day enough.”

“No, Daddy. Mr. Chasez and me made dinner. We have to stay cause he can’t eat it all by himself.” Jalynn hopped from one foot to the other as she protested leaving.

Justin laughed at his daughter and looked up at Josh. “I really don’t wanna impose any longer. You’ve already done so much for us today.”

“It’s no problem, Justin. I’m glad I could help and like Jalynn said, we made plenty.” Josh said, silently hoping that Justin wouldn’t leave just yet.

“Well if you’re sure...”

“I’m positive. It’s already 7:00. It’ll be even later by the time you get these guys home and then you’d still have to make them dinner. Just stay, I have plenty.” Josh took the diaper bag from Justin’s shoulder as he spoke.

Justin let the bag slide over his arm and his fingers caught Josh’s for a second as the strap slipped over his hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Josh smiled placing the diaper bag on the floor next to the coat rack.

Jalynn sighed loudly. “Can we eat now?”

“Nope not yet. We can’t eat until I’ve met all of my guests and I haven’t met this little guy yet.” Josh said reaching out to touch the end of the baby’s nose.

“That’s just my brother Jacob. Let’s go eat.” Jalynn said, jumping up and down and pulling on Josh’s arm.

“He’s gorgeous. He looks just like you.” Josh said, blushing when his eyes met Justin’s.

Justin grinned. “Thank you.” He said, reaching up to flick a stray strand of hair away from Josh’s eyes.

“Come on, come on, come on.” Jalynn said in exasperation tugging harder on Josh’s arm.

Justin and Josh both laughed and followed the little girl down the hall.

“I have a highchair in the closet over there that Jacob can use.” Josh said, pointing to the closet in the hallway behind Justin.

Jalynn turned and came back down the hall to see what was taking so long. “Do you have a baby, Mr. Chasez?” She asked upon seeing her father pull the highchair from the closet.

Josh ruffled the little girl’s hair and chuckled. “No I don’t have a baby. My sister has three children though and the youngest is a baby. He uses that when they visit.”

“Can you take him for a second? This thing is stuck.” Justin said, thrusting his son at Josh as he pulled on the highchair in the closet.

Josh took the little boy into his arms and began making faces at him. The baby giggled and pinched Josh’s nose.

“He likes you, Mr. Chasez. He cries when Mommy’s friends hold him.” Jalynn said, smiling up at her teacher.

Justin frowned at his daughter’s comment as he gave a strong tug and the highchair came loose.

“Well let’s go eat.” Justin said, waving Jalynn ahead of them and following her with the highchair, leaving Josh to follow behind with the baby.

“I’ll get a wash cloth to clean the dust off of that.” Josh said, as Justin began to sit up the highchair.

“Thanks.” Justin flashed a grateful smile as Josh left the dining room still holding the baby.

“We’re having lasagna, Daddy. It looks really, really good. Just like Grandma Lynn’s. I helped make the salad. I put the little tomatoes in it.” Jalynn said, climbing up onto a chair at the table.

Justin turned to look at his daughter. “Since when do you eat lasagna? You won’t eat it when I make it.”

“Yours is yucky. Grandma Lynn said it’s a wonder you don’t starve to death when she’s not around to bring food over.” Jalynn giggled at the affronted look on Justin’s face.

Justin spun around at the sound of chuckling coming from the doorway. “I can cook.” He told Josh.

“Sure you can, Justin.” Josh said with a laugh as he tossed the wash cloth at Justin.

“I can.” Justin pouted.

Josh tapped Justin on the nose as he passed him. “It’s really ok if you can’t. I’m sure there are plenty of people more than willing to cook for you.”

Justin grinned. “Yourself included?”

“Maybe.” Josh smiled coyly and passed Jacob back to his father.

Justin put the baby in the highchair and then took the seat next to it. Jalynn sat across from her brother leaving Josh the seat across from Justin.

“Can I have some more, please?” Jalynn asked, holding up her empty plate.

“Sure you can, sweetie.” Josh took the little girl’s plate and grinned at Justin.

Justin blushed and wrinkled his nose up at his daughter. “I can cook.”

Jalynn covered her mouth trying to hide her giggles. “Daddy makes good peanut butter and jelly.”

“Mmm, my favorite.” Josh said, handing the plate back to Jalynn.

“You should cook for us all the time, Mr. Chasez.” Jalynn spoke with a mouthful.

Justin tapped the table in front of his daughter. “Don’t talk with food in your mouth. And Mr. Chasez has better things to do than cook for us all the time. You’ll just have to live with my cooking. It hasn’t killed you yet.”

“You can just come and live with us then and you’ll be there all the time so you won’t have nothing else to do.” Jalynn smiled brightly at Josh.

Josh choked on his water.

Justin turned from feeding the baby to look at his daughter. “Jalynn, just eat your dinner. I’ll learn to cook better and you’ll learn to like it.”

~*~

“Thank you so much for everything.” Justin said, fastening Jacob into his car seat and turning to look at Josh.

Josh rubbed Jalynn’s back and smiled at Justin. “I already told you it was no problem. You’ve got some great kids. I’m glad I could help.”

“Here I’ll take her now.” Justin said reaching for the sleeping girl that Josh held.

Josh watched Justin strap Jalynn into the backseat beside her brother. As long and crazy as his day had been he wouldn’t have wished for it to be any other way.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Justin said moving around to the driver’s side of the car where Josh stood.

Josh bid Justin goodnight and waved as the car left his driveway.

~*~

Justin had dropped his daughter off at school and gone to see his lawyer as planned the following day. His lawyer contacted Britney’s and found that Britney had in fact signed over all parental rights to Justin.

Justin’s mother agreed to baby-sit Jacob while Justin worked at the club during the day. He hired his best friend Chris to work as night manager at the club so that he could spend night’s home with his children. As promised he also spent half the day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s helping Josh with Jalynn’s first grade class.

As the days passed Justin found himself more and more attracted to his daughter’s teacher. He was sure most of the time that Josh felt the same way but other times he just wasn’t sure. They’d begun eating dinner together at one of their homes at least three nights a week and they’d taken the kids to the drive in movies three Saturday’s in a row.

~*~

“Hi, Daddy.” Jalynn called from the back of the classroom on a Thursday afternoon.

Justin smiled and waved at his daughter.

Josh stopped reading and looked up from the book he’d been reading to the class. His eyes met Justin’s and he smiled.

Justin motioned for Josh to continue reading and he took a seat in the circle of children beside his daughter.

Josh smiled and resumed the story.

Justin lifted his daughter into his lap and listened to or rather watched JC read the rest of the book.

“It’s only Thursday, what are you doing here?” Josh asked, Justin after getting the children situated and working on their spelling words.

Justin pouted. “So what, you’re not happy to see me?”

“I’m always happy to see you. Just curious as to why you aren’t working.” Josh looked away from Justin blushing.

Justin shrugged. “I had the paperwork all done and I was just sitting there staring at the wall. I figured I’d come and see two of my three favorite people.”

“In other words, you’re buttering me up because you’re hoping I’ll cook dinner tonight?” JC teased nudging Justin’s shoulder with his own.

Justin blushed and elbowed Josh lightly. “No I wasn’t. In fact I was gonna see if you wanted to have dinner with us tonight. My parent’s are coming over and they’ve heard so much about you that they’re dying to meet you.”

“You want me to meet your parents?” Josh asked warily.

Justin nodded laughing. “Yeah don’t look so shocked. Jalynn talks about you all the time. My mom was the one that suggested inviting you tonight.”

Josh straightened the collar on Justin‘s shirt. “Is Jalynn the only one that talks about me?”

Justin’s hand covered Josh’s on his collar. “Jacob isn’t old enough to talk yet or I’m sure he’d be singing your praises too.”

Josh poked Justin in the side. “I didn’t mean him.”

Justin grabbed Josh’s hand. “I know...” He looked down at the little girl tugging on Josh’s sleeve. “Mr. Chasez, can I go to the bathroom?”

“Sure, Sarah, go ahead.” Josh said smiling down at the little girl and pulling his hand out of Justin’s.

“So, dinner?” Justin asked, grinning widely.

“I don’t know.” JC hedged, not totally comfortable with the idea of dinner with Justin’s parents.

Justin grabbed his daughter by the shirt as she walked past them. “Hey, Ja-baby, you want Mr. Chasez to come for dinner, don’t you?”

Jalynn latched onto Josh’s arm and jumped up and down. “Oh yes, Mr. Chasez, you haven’t been over in forever.”

“You were just at my house last night.” Josh said with a laugh.

“Well you have to come to our house tonight then. Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Paul are coming over too. You can show Grandma Lynn how you make the chocolate cake that Daddy loves. Daddy told Grandma Lynn about it and she says Daddy always hated chocolate cake.” Jalynn was bouncing and tugging on Josh’s arm the whole time she was trying to convince him to come to dinner.

JC grinned at Justin as he loosened Jalynn’s fist from his sleeve. “Well in that case I guess I’ll have to be there. And you can help me make Daddy’s chocolate cake.”

“Yay!” Jalynn shouted, latching onto Josh’s arm again.

Josh laughed and removed the hand again. “Why don’t you go work on your spelling words some more now. We’ve got the test tomorrow.”

“So I’ll see you tonight then?” Justin asked, watching his daughter hurry back to her desk.

Josh swatted Justin on the arm. “That was really low dragging her into it.”

Justin grinned, “I know but hey it worked, didn’t it?”

“Yes it worked. But I’m coming right after school and we’re gonna mess up your kitchen making that cake.” Josh said with a laugh.

“Cool, you can bring Jalynn home then. I’m gonna go pick Jacob up and head there now since school will be out in an hour.” Justin said tweaking Josh on the nose.

“Brat.” Josh said grinning as Justin left the room.

~*~

“Daddy, we’re home.” Jalynn shouted, running in the back door and throwing her backpack on the kitchen counter.

Justin entered the kitchen shushing his daughter. “Shh, not so loud, baby. Jacob sleeping. He was fussy when we got home and I just got him down.”

“Is he sick?” Josh asked concern lacing his voice.

“Nah, he’s just cutting a new tooth and it’s making him crabby.” Justin assured him, “What’s in here?” he asked, peeking into the grocery bag that Josh held.

“Ingredients for the cake.” Josh said swatting Justin’s hand away.

“Why can’t I see?” Justin asked pouting.

Josh laughed and flicked the end of Justin’s nose lightly. “Because they’re secret ingredients. If you knew you probably wouldn’t eat the cake.”

“Oh come on. I’m not that picky.” Justin said, reaching for the bag again.

Josh pressed the bag into Justin’s hands. “Fine, you’re such a brat. Just look but don’t whine to me if you don’t like something that’s in it.”

Justin grinned as he sat the bag on the counter and began rifling through it. “Miracle Whip? What the heck are you gonna do with that?” He asked, pulling the jar from the bag.

“I’m gonna put it in the cake.” Josh said, taking the jar from Justin and sitting it on the counter.

“No you’re not. I didn’t taste any of that in the cake.” Justin said, rolling his eyes at Josh.

Josh rolled his eyes back at Justin and pushed him away from the counter. “Yes I am. And you’re not supposed to taste it.”

“Why the hel... heck do you put that in it?” Justin asked in disbelief.

Jalynn covered her mouth and giggled. “Daddy almost said a bad word.”

Josh laughed at the little girl before turning back to her father. “The Miracle Whip is what makes the cake so moist. You can’t even taste it so shut up ya big baby.”

Justin humphed and wrinkled his nose at Josh. “Fine.” He said leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms over his chest.

“If you’re not gonna help get outta the kitchen.” Josh said nudging Justin out of his way as he finished emptying the bag.

Justin sighed dramatically. “Fine I’ll help. We’ll make sure he does it right, won’t we baby girl?” He asked, ruffling his daughter’s dark curly hair.

Jalynn smiled up at her father sadly. “Yeah, Daddy. We’ll help.”

“What’s wrong, Jalynn? You don’t have to help if you don’t want to. I’ll just put your daddy to work, it’s not big deal.” Josh said, squatting down in front of the little girl.

Jalynn bit her lip hesitantly before looking up at Josh. “Well I did wanna help, but I just remembered that Sesame Street is on.”

“Jalynn you watch that everyday and have almost every episode on video.” Justin watched his daughter curiously.

“But, Daddy, I forgot that the Backstreet Boys was gonna be on there today.” Jalynn said plaintively.

Justin groaned and covered his face. “She’s only seven years old and already has wretched taste in music.”

Josh laughed and slapped Justin on the arm playfully. “Who am I to stand in the way of the Backstreet Boys? Go ahead and watch it, sweetie. We can make a cake some other time. Your daddy needs to learn how anyway.” He said with a wink.

Jalynn giggled and hugged Josh quickly before running from the room.

“So are we just having my cake for dinner or were you actually planning to cook something?” Josh asked, cocking an eyebrow and grinning at Justin.

Justin blushed and picked at the label on the Miracle Whip jar. “My mom’s bringing dinner.”

“Hahaha... I figured that.” Josh laughed, tugging lightly at a curl that just touched Justin’s forehead. “You’re cute when you blush.”

Justin’s head shot up and his hand snagged Josh’s arm as he was about to step away. “You’re not so bad yourself.” He whispered, leaning in and rubbing his nose against Josh’s. “I’m gonna go check on Jacob.” He said, pulling away and grinning mischievously. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Shit.” Josh muttered to himself and blew the hair away from his forehead as the door swung shut behind Justin.

Josh had added all ingredients for the cake and was mixing the batter when a pair of strong hands slipped around his waist to rest lightly on his stomach. He started nearly dropping the mixer when Justin’s chin came to rest on his shoulder.

“You scared the shit out of me.” Josh said, bumping Justin’s head lightly with his own.

Justin chuckled, his hot breath fanning against Josh’s ear caused goose bumps to rise. “Sorry.”

“No you’re not, you brat.” Josh laughed pressing an elbow into Justin’s stomach.

“Can I taste?” Justin asked softly sending shockwaves down Josh’s spine.

Josh swallowed around the knot in his throat. “Taste what?”

“This.” Justin brought Josh’s hand to his mouth and slid a chocolate covered finger between his lips.

Josh exhaled shakily and leaned back against Justin.

“Mmm... it’s good.” Justin opened his mouth and his tongue traced the finger from the top of the nail to between where the two fingers meet.

“It’s not good for you; there’s raw egg in it.”

Justin ignored him and licked the small bit of chocolate batter off of the older man’s palm. “So sweet.” He said and his tongue moved to the center of Josh’s palm tracing the line up to his wrist.

“Justin.” Josh groaned, turning in Justin’s arms.

“So, so fucking sweet.” Justin whispered, his thumb smearing chocolate across Josh’s bottom lip. The tip of Josh’s tongue touched Justin’s as it swiped across his lip. Justin moaned, he licked into Josh’s mouth pressing his body into the counter.

Josh was shoving the back of Justin’s shirt up, his hand smoothing over hot skin when suddenly there was a giggle at the door. The two men jerked apart panting heavily. Josh’s eyes remained downcast and his cheeks were a vivid red.

Justin cleared his throat. “Hey, baby girl. Sesame Street over?” He asked nonchalantly.

Jalynn still giggling nodded. “You guys was ki-issing.”

Justin snagged Josh’s sleeve as he moved to leave the room. “Did that bother you, baby?” He watched his daughter intently and his hand slid down to lace his fingers with Josh’s.

Jalynn shook her head emphatically. “Nope, you can kiss Mr. Chasez, just promise you won’t ignore me and Jacob like mommy when she was kissing Uncle Wade.” Her eyes implored.

“First of all, he’s not your uncle and you don’t have to call him that anymore. Second, I’ll never ignore you or your brother. I promise.” Justin said, his hand slipping out of Josh’s as he leaned down to hug his daughter.

Jalynn wrapped her arms tightly around her father’s neck and smiled. “I love you, Daddy.”

Justin planted a loud smacking kiss on the little girl‘s face. “Love you too.”

“Can I help with the cake now?” Jalynn asked, looking up at Josh.

Josh smoothed a hand over Jalynn’s head. “All we have to do now is put it in a pan and bake it. You can help scrape all of the batter into the pan though.”

Jalynn pulled a step stool over to the counter beside Josh and stepped up on it. “That’s my favorite part. Grandma Lynn lets me do that too.”

Justin stepped aside and watched his daughter and Josh work. “Good I can just watch now. He’s a slave driver, Ja, you’d better watch out.”

Josh swatted Justin’s butt and he and Jalynn laughed at the floury handprint.

“I see how it’s gonna be. You guys are gonna be ganging up on me all the time. That’s not fair.” Justin pouted.

Jalynn leaned across Josh and pressed a chocolatey kiss to on Justin’s cheek. She leaned back and nudged Josh with her elbow. “You gotta kiss daddy too so he feels better.” Josh leaned toward Justin blushing and kissed the chocolate off of his cheek. “Mmm... sweet.”

Josh had finished greasing and flouring the pan. Jalynn was scooping the batter into the cake pan when suddenly she stopped and looked at Josh. “I wish you was my daddy.”

Justin’s head shot up from the magazine he’d been reading at the table.

Josh cocked his head and looked at the little girl. “Why would you want me to be your daddy? You already have a wonderful daddy.”

Jalynn shrugged, “Because you’re not a girl so you can’t be my mommy. I wish you could be my second daddy. Just like Michael in class. He has two mommies.”

Josh’s eyes darted over to Justin upon hearing the other man snickering. “Care to tell me what’s so funny?”

Justin shook his head and smiled innocently. “I’m just waiting for your answer.”

“You’re evil, Justin.” Josh said with a laugh and turned back to the little girl.

Everyone looked toward the door as they heard voices coming from the hall. “Good lord, Paul, they’re in the kitchen. I hope Justin didn’t decide to try making dinner after all.”

Josh burst out laughing at the insulted look on Justin’s face. “S’not funny.” Justin pouted.

“Oh, baby, it is funny.” Josh laughed running a flour-coated hand over Justin’s head.

Justin’s mother bustled into the room to find Justin watching his daughter and Josh with a goofy love-struck smile. The endearment had slipped so easily from Josh’s lips and Justin couldn’t seem to stop grinning.

“Well what have we here?” Lynn Harless asked, looking from her granddaughter and the stranger to her son.

“Grandma Lynn!” Jalynn shouted jumping down from the step stool and running to hug her grandmother.

Lynn hugged her granddaughter and kissed her cheek. “How’s my good girl?” She asked.

“I’m making cake with Mr. Chasez and him and Daddy was kissing and then I told Mr. Chasez that I want him to be my second daddy.” Jalynn answered all in one breath much to the amusement of her grandmother.

Lynn hugged her granddaughter once more before standing to face Josh. “So you’re the young man that my son and granddaughter can’t seem to stop talking about.”

Josh blushed furiously and began to stammer. “I... it’s... uh nice to meet you ma’am.”

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you. I’m Lynn and this is my husband Paul.” Lynn said, waving her arm at the man behind her.

Josh continued to blush as he shook both parent’s hands.

“So, you asked Josh to be your second daddy, huh? And what did he have to say about this?” Lynn asked smiling mischievously at her granddaughter.

Jalynn shrugged. “He didn’t say anything yet. I was getting ready to have Daddy help when you and Grandpa Paul got her.”

“Oh, Daddy’s gonna help?” Lynn asked, grinning widely at her now blushing son.

“Lynn, it’s obvious Justin’s finally made his move. He doesn’t need your meddling now to help him get Josh.” Paul chastised his wife.

Wide eyed with feigned innocence Lynn turned to look at her husband. “A mother never meddles.”

Jacob began to cry and Josh waved Justin back into his chair. “I’ll get him. You visit with your parents.” He rushed toward the door. He couldn’t get out of the kitchen fast enough.

“He’s adorable, Justin. He’s just perfect for you.” Josh heard Lynn cooing and raced down the hall toward the crying baby. He knew hearing more would just get his hopes up and he didn’t want that until he’d talked to Justin.

~*~

“Is it safe to come in now? Is everyone finished talking about me?” Josh asked as he knocked on the kitchen door.

Justin laughed and pulled the door open. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s safe but we’re done talking about you for now.”

Josh chuckled nervously and hugged the baby closer to him.

“Grandma and Grandpa are gonna take me to Chuck-E-Cheese’s.” Jalynn said, bouncing with exciting and pulling on Josh’s arm causing him to shake the fussy baby.

“Here lemme take him.” Justin said reaching for his son.

Josh waved him off. “He’s fine, I’ve got him.”

Josh’s hand was softly stroking the baby’s back and Justin’s covered it as he leaned forward to kiss Jacob’s forehead. “Hey little man, you feeling better now?” He whispered to his son.

“This is boring. Can we go now?” Jalynn whined turning to tug on her grandfather’s hand.

Paul laughed and lifted the girl into his arms. “Whenever you’re ready, Midget.”

Justin turned look at Josh. “I don’t wanna drag Jake out with him not feeling well. I hope you’re not too disappointed about missing Chuck-E-Cheese.”

“Wow, I’ll try not to be too bummed out. I really love that place.” Josh said, laughing when Justin rolled his eyes at him.

“I promise I’ll take you there next weekend. We’ll even leave the kids with Mom and Paul so you don’t have to share any of your tokens.” Justin retorted, poking Josh in the side.

Paul laughed and clapped Justin on the shoulder. “I’m sure you two can find something to do here with the midget gone. Have fun and we’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

~*~

Justin sucked at the pulse point in Josh’s neck biting gently every now and then. Josh’s hands were on Justin’s ass pulling him closer between his legs as their cocks rubbed together.

Justin’s hand snaked down Josh’s torso and under his waistband. Josh growled deep in his throat as two fingertips slowly circled the head of his cock. “Fuck, Justin.” Josh groaned. Justin chuckled, “You like that?”

“God, don’t you dare stop.” Josh hissed, his hips arching and Justin’s hand slid further down his cock.

“Move in here.” Justin said his mouth attacking Josh’s as his hand slowly slid up and down over the hard shaft.

“Wha... what, Justin? What did you say?” Josh asked, arching into Justin’s hand yet pushing his mouth away.

“Move... in... with... me.” Justin repeated punctuating each word with a kiss.

“Why?” Josh asked pushing Justin’s face away again.

Justin licked and nipped at Josh’s bottom lip. “Why not?”

“That’s not an answer.” Josh said between kisses and groans as Justin squeezed his balls and stroked back up his cock.

“Ok, then you’d get to do this with me, every day for the rest of your life. Isn’t that incentive enough?” Justin asked stroking the head of Josh’s cock with his thumb and eliciting a breathless pant from the man beneath him.

Josh bit his lip moaning as Justin’s hand slick with pre-cum slid down his cock and squeezed gently on the way back up. “Are you serious?”

“Very.” Justin growled, biting Josh’s bottom lip and grinding his hard cock on his thigh.

“Ok.” Josh’s breath fanned across Justin’s mouth as he pulled him more fully on top of him.

~*~

“Shh, don’t be so noisy Jalynn. Jacob might be sleeping.” Lynn whispered to her granddaughter as she stomped in the front door.

Jalynn tugged on her grandmother’s arm. “Let’s go find Daddy. I wanna show him and Mr. Chasez all this stuff I won.”

Lynn chuckled and followed her granddaughter down the hall.

“They’re all sleeping.” Jalynn pouted standing in the living room doorway.

Lynn wrapped an arm around the little girl. “They are, but look how they’re sleeping.”

Jalynn looked again. Her father lay in the corner of the sofa with Josh lying between his legs and baby Jacob sound asleep on his chest. She grinned up at her grandmother. “Does that mean Mr. Chasez is gonna be my other daddy now?”

“I think it just might, Sweetie.” Lynn said, chuckling to herself as Jalynn crawled onto the sofa and onto Josh’s chest beside her brother.

Justin and Josh both stirred from the added weight. Josh smiled down at the children in his arms and hugged them close. Justin smiled and waved at his mother as she turned to go and then wrapped his arms around his family.