"There usually are when it's an awards ceremony," Justin said under his breath, dodging Taylor's punches, "joking!"
"You all ready to perform?" She asked the rest of the guys. Everyone, including JC, nodded. He'd been wanting to ask Taylor about Mikayla ever since she'd gotten into the limo with them. Someone opened the limo door and Justin was the first to get out, holding on to Taylor's hand. He smiled reassuringly at her when she gripped his hand, knowing that the screams from the crowd were definitely overwhelming. They were also staring at her, wondering who this 'mysterious' girl was who was with the famous Justin Timberlake.
JC got out after them, smiling at the crowd, his thoughts on them but his heart was all the way back in California, where Mikayla was. I'm an idiot, he thought, I should have apologized, she'll never talk to me now. There were loud screams as the Backstreet Boys got out of the limo that had followed theirs. He turned around to look at them, and his eyes widened when he saw Brian getting out of the limo with Mikayla.
She looked drop-dead gorgeous. The black dress that hung elegantly from her body seemed to show off her curves without making her look brash. Her chin was held up high proudly, and her brown hair was styled sophisticatedly. The aura that surrounded her seemed to demand respect, and she was beaming as Brian cracked a joke into her ear. His initial surprise at seeing her there turned to jealousy and frustration at seeing her there with Littrell.
"C'mon JC," Chris said, elbowing his in the side. "we have to do some pictures," JC reluctantly followed, his eyes locked on Mikayla. The flash of the camera made him blink, but he went back to stare at her.
"JC," Justin said, almost impatiently, "we'd better get going in, they're going to start soon." JC nodded and followed them in, wondering why in the world he'd never noticed exactly how beautiful she was.
"Enjoying yourself?" Brian asked, letting her go into the row before he followed her.
"Yeah," She said, smiling as she sat down next to Kevin's wife.
"Don't you want to go talk to Tay?" He asked.
"Yeah, but she's over there with them." She gestured, "I don’t really want to go."
"Would it make you feel better if I escorted you?" Brian asked.
"Okay," She answered, smiling. "The awards won't be on for a while either anyway." He extended his arm to her and helped her up. "Brian, you're too good to me." She said as they walked down to where Taylor and N Sync were sitting.
"I know," He said confidently, "but I'm your best friend, that's what I'm supposed to be to you."
"I guess, but you won't be just my best friend anymore," She said, smiling as she put a hand to her stomach, "I guess I never really thought about it. I’m going to be a mom!"
"Yeah, and I'd better be an 'Uncle Brian' if you get my hint," He said, grinning as she chuckled. They arrived at the row where Taylor was and Mikayla's heart skipped a beat when she realized JC was sitting on the edge. She put her hand to her stomach, as if she were trying to protect her secret.
"Hey, Mika!" Elisa greeted her, giving her a hug.
"Hey," She answered, smiling, "how are you all doing?"
"Great," Justin replied. JC said nothing. "How are you, Littrell?" Justin asked Brian, who nodded politely at him. JC hated the way they were standing. Not too close as to suggest an intimate relationship, but close enough to make him uncomfortable. But then again, he reasoned, it was his fault that she was seeking comfort from someone else. Brian was perfect for the job, he was her best friend after all. She did seem slightly pale, he noticed, and he felt a feeling of concern when he realized she was holding her stomach as if she were sick.
"Doing great. Did I tell you I'm going to be an uncle?" He said, faking injury and giving Mikayla an evil stare when Mikayla pinched his arm. Taylor bit her lip to hide her snigger, and Justin winked at Mikayla, making her realize that he knew. JC looked at both their expressions, wondering what Mikayla had stopped Brian from saying.
Brian's almost comical evil glare made Mikayla start laughing involuntarily. "Fine, you win." She said.
"I know, I always do," He said triumphantly. "We'd better get back, see you guys later!" He chuckled as they walked away.
"You almost told him!" Mikayla hissed, leaning closer to his ear so they wouldn’t be able to hear them.
"Ah, but I didn't," Brian corrected her, "keep your faith in me." They went back to their seats moments before the show started.
"Giving out an award on the VMAs is a special privilege," Sting began, "and it's my honor to present to you the winner of this year's best male group…." He paused as he struggled to open the envelope, "… N Sync!" The roars of the audience zoomed up while N Sync got up to receive their awards. Justin kissed Taylor, Lance gave Elisa a hug, all of them showing genuine smiles on their faces as they rushed up the steps to receive the award. Normally JC would have been honored to be presented an award by Sting, a musical artist whom he'd admired ever since he was a child, but his thoughts were on someone else.
"We'd just like to thank God and our families for standing by us," Justin began, smiling in the direction of several fans who screamed his name.
"And our management company, Jive Records, the N Sync Band," Chris added.
"And to all of the people who have helped and improve our lives in more ways than one," JC began, looking straight at Mikayla, who seemed to become paler but kept eye contact.
"-the fans." Lance added, finishing JC's pre-rehearsed sentence, causing the crowds of fans to erupt in applause.
Mikayla's heart beat quickly and she smiled proudly when she saw the guys get up to receive their award. When JC said his line, she didn't know what to say but could only continue to gaze into those beautiful blue eyes. I hope our baby has his eyes, she thought dreamily, putting her hand again to her stomach.
Another human, another life that she and JC had been responsible for creating. She still couldn't believe it. In several months, there'd be another person in this world and she'd be 'Mom' and, hopefully she thought, Josh would be 'Dad'.
"Y'know, you're going to have to tell him sometime," Brian said out of nowhere.
"I know," She said with a sigh, "I must admit, I'm a bit scared to know how he'll react."
"If he's as smart as you've always insisted he is, he'll jump at the chance to be a dad to the kid." Brian told her after the VMAs had gone to commercial.
"I wouldn't want to pressure him into it," Mikayla said, "I don't want him to come back to me because I'm going to have his baby. It'd be wrong, we'd only make the baby's life miserable."
"Don't think like that," He insisted, "you're being pessimistic. JC will love the idea of being a dad, but I hope the kid looks like you," He said, grimacing as he thought of JC's face.
"Now, what's that supposed to mean!" She asked in surprise.
"Well, he's not exactly the best looking guy in the world," Brian teased.
"And I suppose you are," Mikayla retorted dryly.
"Exactly. I’m glad we're on the same wavelength." He said, ending the conversation before she could reply.