Author's POV

***One Year Later***

"Hey Justin?" Lance yells.

"Yeah," Justin answers from the kitchen.

"Where you want these boxes man?"

"I don't know. Hey Nick?"

"Yeah?" Nick asks, coming down the stairs.

"Where you want these boxes?" Lance repeats.

"Up the stairs, first door on the left."

"Thanks, come on Josh. The sooner we get him moved in here, the sooner we have the house to our selves."

"If I didn't know better I'd think you were glad to be rid of me Lance." Justin laughed.

"Naw, just glad to have you back to the way you used to be. Maybe even better."

JC and Lance take the boxes they were carrying up to the room Nick had pointed out and returned to the kitchen.

"Whoa...Didn't need to see that." JC teases.

Nick and Justin seperate from their kiss.

"Hey. You've made me watch you and Lance for how many years now? You're gonna have to deal with it now that I have a man of my own." Justin quips.

"Yeah, but at least I didn't pick a 'Backstreet Boy' man."

"Dude...Don't go there." Nick states.

"Sorry. Couldn't help it Nick. I'm sure you get the same shit from your boys." JC smiles. "I didn't mean anything by it. You've helped him more than I thought possible."

"Well...I like to think we've helped each other. I'm sure the therapy has helped too." Nick states as he and JC make their way into the living room.

Lance walks in as JC and Nick leave the room.

"Hey J?" Lance says.

"Hmmm." Justin answers distractedly.

"How 'are' you doing?"

"I'm doing good. I'm not completely healthy yet but I'm getting there."

"That's good to hear. You sure this is a good thing? You moving in here with Nick and all?"

"Lance." Justin sighs, "I can't keep living with you and Josh. I can't move on if I'm reminded of what caused the pain in the first place." Justin looks at the floor, "Or at least part of it. You and Josh wouldn't have had all those problems if it weren't for me."

"That's in the past Justin, and besides, those problems have made Josh and I even stronger. I love him more now than I ever thought possible. My concern is that you and Nick are moving way too fast. I mean, you only started dating 6 months ago and now you're moving into a house together."

"We're just sharing the house. We both have our own rooms. I'm not ready for that kind of relationship yet and I honestly don't think Nick is either."

"Do you love him, Justin?"

"Yes. I really do, but I'm taking it slow. See if we can have what you and Josh have. You two took it slow in the beginning."

"Yes we did. Extremely slow. If I hadn't made the first move, we'd probably still be in the same mode as you and Nick." Lance smiles.

"Yeah, we were wondering how long it would take. We actually had bets on how long it would take. I've got to thank you for that $50 by the way."

"That's all you had on it? J I'm ashamed, especially since you knew I when I was gonna make my move."

"Shhh. The others might hear."

"Oh, please. Joey and Chris aren't here yet and I'm sure Nick and Josh weren't involved in the bet."

"True, but still. We don't need Josh going off on one of his tangents about us betting on you two's relationship."

"I know. But he has no room to talk believe me. He's in on one with Joey and Chris about your's and Nicks."

"Oh, really? Which aspects?"

"All of them." Lance smiles. "So what we having for dinner?"

"Umm..." Justin stammers. "Nick?"

Nick comes in from the living room with JC close on his heels. He wraps an arm around Justins waist, "What's up baby?"

JC raises an eyebrow, wraps his arms around Lance's waist and whispers, "Baby, they're like the same age."

"Doesn't matter, I call you baby."

"True. They look good together don't they."

"They sure do. I'm so glad Justin has finally found happiness."

"He does seem happy and so does Nick."

"Hey!!!!!!!!!! Where's everybody at and why's the front door wide open?" Kevin bellows from the doorstep.

"Well. Looks like the party is about to begin." Justin states.

"What was your first clue?" Joey asks strolling in with Chris and AJ close behind carrying a stack of pizza's each. "Figured we'd bring the food since you lovebirds can't keep your hands off each other long enough to dial a phone anymore."

"Watch it Fatone. We lovebirds outnumber you now." Howie states from behind Chris.

"Oh yeah. Damn. Hey Kev, AJ...You guys still on my team or have you jumped ship too?"

"Nope, we're still with you man." AJ states.

The three of them step back and watch the three couples together in the kitchen.

"So how long you give them two?" AJ asks.

"Who? Nick and Justin?" Kevin inquires.

AJ nods, "Yeah. You think they'll make it."

"They should. Look who they have to model their relationship after." Joey states, looking from JC and Lance to Chris and Howie. Maybe we're the ones who need to get our lives together."