"Mom I'm fine. I promise that I am."

"You know that you and Liz can always move back to Phoenix and live near your father and I."

"We'll be fine here in Orlando. Besides this is where my life is."

"Allysia, just take a few days to relax. And your father and I will take care of Liz while she is here."

"Don't worry mom. I will. And thanks for letting Liz come and visit for a few days."

"You're welcome."

Allysia hung up the phone and sighed. She looked over at the picture on the table next to the chair she was sitting in. it was of her, her daughter Elizabeth, and Mike, her husband, shortly after Liz was born. Here she was, a 23 year old with a 3-year-old daughter. And now she was a widow. Mike had been killed in a car accident in November of 2000 and here it was 4 months later in February of the following year.

She was devastated by her loss. Now the only joys in her life were dancing and her daughter, Liz.

"I have never seen Joey with a steady girlfriend," Justin said one afternoon, as *Nsync was rehearsing. They were waiting for their choreographer, Darrin Henson, to show up.

"It's just so hard to find the right girl."

All the guys laughed at him. That was when Darrin walked in.

"So what are we going to work on today?" JC asked.

"Whatever. Where are you guys struggling?"

The guys discussed their dances for a few minutes then worked on the trouble spots.

Later that afternoon Joey was walking around the mall, looking for really nothing. As he was walking past American Eagle, someone accidentally walked into him.

"Oh I'm sorry," a soft female voice said.

"It's okay," Joey said looking at who had ran into him. The girl looked familiar to him. "Allysia?"

The girl turned to look at him. "Yes?"

"Allysia Hall?"

"Do I know you?" she asked confused. Then it dawned on her. "Joey!"

Allysia hugged her friend. She hadn't seen him in almost six years.

"Allysia you look great! Tell me what you've been up to," he said as they sat down on a nearby bench.

"Dancing. What else would I be doing?"

Joey laughed.

"Let me guess. In between 3 albums, you and your friends have sold over 20 million copies?" Allysia said.

"Good guess."

The two friends talked for a while longer, before Allysia had to go.

"What's your phone number?" he asked before she left. She wrote it down and gave it to him.

A few days later, Joey decided to call her and ask her out to dinner and to go see a movie. Why was calling her so hard? He never had this much trouble with women before.

"Mommy, I love you!" Liz said running to her mother. Allysia picked up the little girl. Liz kissed her mom on the cheek.

"I love you too, Liz," she said carrying Liz to the couch. She sat down and held Liz on her lap.

"Mommy, teddy loves you too!" Liz said hugging her bear tightly.

"Well I love teddy."

The phone rang, Allysia motioned for Liz to be quiet as she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"May I please speak to Allysia?"

"This is her."

"Hey, it's Joey. I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner and a movie tonight."

"Sure."

"Good. I'll pick you up about six."

"Sounds good. Let me give you instructions on how to get here."

Joey wrote down the instructions Allysia gave him. He found that she didn't leave too far from him.

"Mommy going out?" Liz asked when Allysia hung up the phone.

"Yep. Who do you want to baby-sit you?"

"Ashley!"

Allysia said okay and called Ashley. She said that she would baby-sit that night.

"Okay. I don't know what time I'll be home. And I don't know where I'll be. But you know my cell phone number is in the kitchen."

"That's fine, Mrs. Ellis."

"Now Liz, be good. I'll be home later." Allysia said kissing Liz's cheek.

"Okay mommy."

The doorbell rang. Allysia opened the door and left.

"Ready?" Joey asked as she shut the door.

"Yep."

"Besides dancing, what have you done since high school?"

"Well I went to UNC, classified as a junior mid-year, due to AP tests and summer school, so I finished in a year and a half. I got a degree in business and a minor in performing arts. In January of 1997, I married Micheal Ellis…"

"You're married!!!"

"No just listen. In November of 1997, Elizabeth was born. We moved back here in March of 1998. Micheal worked for a law firm here in Orlando and I opened Studio 7, my dance studio. Then last November, Micheal was killed in a car accident."

"Oh man. Allysia, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. My mom wants Liz and I to move back to Phoenix, where they live now. But I don't want to."

"Then don't. You're a big girl now."

That made Allysia laugh. "Try telling my mom that."

"I will if you want me to."

Joey walked Allysia up to the door. "Thanks for taking me out, Joey. This is probably the most fun I've had in the past few months."

"Good," he said kissing her cheek

"You can come in for a few minutes if you would like to."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Trust me, Liz isn't asleep. She's a night owl like her mother."

"I guess so."

Allysia unlocked the door. They walked in the house and found Liz and Ashley in the living room. Liz was asleep in a chair.

"Hi Mrs. Ellis. Did you have fun?"

"I did, Ashley," she said taking out her wallet so she could pay her. Once Ashley left, Allysia woke Liz, so she could go to bed.

"Mommy, who is that?" Liz asked as Allysia picked her up.

"My friend. But let's go to bed. You can meet him another time."

Allysia left the room with Liz in her arms. Joey sat down on the couch and waited. A few minutes later she came back.

"Do you want something to drink?" she asked walking back into the living room. "I'm going to make myself some tea."

"No thanks."

She said okay and left the room again. She came back in, carrying a cup of hot tea. She sat down next to him on the couch.

"How old is Liz?"

"A little over three."

"She's cute. How do you manage to work and keep up with her?"

"Her paternal grandparents don't live too far away. So they help. Of course, my mom is now calling 24/7 to make sure her two girls are okay. Sometimes she goes to preschool. Not too often though. Besides, I only teach 2 classes a week now. My assistants usually teach, especially in the last few months."

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out."

"I wish! I'm the oldest 23 year old in the world!"

"Ah, Jerry Maguire right?"

"My favorite movie, except she was 21 years old," she said looking down at her cup. Joey could tell that she was thinking about something and most likely it was her husband.

"Hey Allysia, cheer up," he said tilting her chin up. She smiled as tears began to fall from her eyes.

"It's okay, Allysia. Let it all out," he said hugging her. He let her cry on his shoulder for a few minutes. She sat back up and regained herself.

"It's just not fair."

"Nothing is ever fair in life, Allysia. If it was, then this world would suck."

She smiled. "But I worry about Liz and her growing up without a father."

"Yet, she has a mother whose heart is as big as they come."

"Thanks Joey," she said kissing his cheek.

"You know that I'll always be here for you."

Allysia smiled.

"Now make me this promise,"

"What's that?" she asked.

"That I get to take you clubbin' before *Nsync leaves on tour again."

"Deal."

A few minutes later, Joey left. It was getting late, and he knew that with a 3-year-old, Allysia would be up at the crack of dawn. He left her his phone number just in case she ever needed him or just wanted to talk.

"Mommy who was your friend?" Liz asked in the morning during breakfast.

"My friend Joey. I known him for a long time."

"Is he nice?"

"Yes. Do you not think he's nice?"

"I don't know,"

"Come on, let's finish breakfast. The I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

"A surprise,"

Liz smiled and quickly finished her breakfast. She then ran into her room and tried to get dressed, but had a hard time. Allysia walked in and found Liz with her shirt and pants on backwards. Allysia laughed a little then helped her daughter get it straight.

"Mommy a doggie!" Liz exclaimed as she petted the small yellow lab puppy that Allysia held in her lap.

"Yes and it's yours."

Liz hugged her mom. "Now you know that you have to be nice to the puppy."

"I will," Liz said.

Allysia thanked the man that she had bought the puppy from and they left. All the way home, Liz was holding the puppy close to her, gently petting it, and kissing its forehead.

"What are you going to name her?"

"Sandy."

"Where did you come up with that name?"

"From a movie that I watched with you last week."

"Oh, okay. So I guess her name is Sandy."

"Mommy, I want to meet your friend."

"Well then, will you help me clean the house?"

"Yes."

"I'll invite him over."

"Can you make sloppy joe's?"

"Sure. Let's take Sandy home, call Joey, and then we'll go shopping."

Liz agreed with her mom.

"Liz would like you to come over for dinner tonight."

"Well, that sounds fine."

"Okay. Some over about 6:30. Liz wants me to make sloppy joe's. I hope that's fine."

"It is."

"We'll see you then."

"Liz be careful!" Allysia said as she went to answer the door. "And don't feed Sandy any chocolate!"

Liz chased Sandy through the house. Allysia opened the door and collapsed against the doorframe. She looked at Joey.

"Tired?" he asked.

"A little. Who would of known that a puppy would be so much trouble."

"Aww you bought Liz a dog." Joey said as Allysia let him in.

"Mommy! Sandy made a mess on the floor!" Liz said walking into the foyer, holding the puppy.

"Great. If you will excuse me," she said leaving the foyer. Liz looked up at Joey.

"Are you my mommy's friend?"

"Yes I am," he said kneeling on the floor so he could be at her level. "My name is Joey. Let me guess, your name is Elizabeth."

Liz smiled as she held onto Sandy. "What's your puppy's name?" he asked.

"Sandy. Do you want to hold her?"

"Sure,"

Liz handed Sandy over to Joey. He softly petted the dog.

"Aww how cute. This would make a great cover shot for Teen." Allysia said sitting on the floor. Liz sat down on her mother's lap. Joey smiled at them.

"I like your friend mommy."

"Good. Now go wash up for dinner,"

Liz ran off down the hall. Joey set Sandy down on the ground and stood up. He then helped Allysia up.

"You make a good mom."

"Thanks. She's so easy to take care of. My mom says that she is a lot like me when I was younger." Allysia said as they walked into the kitchen. "Sorry dinner isn't too spectacular. It's what Liz wanted."

"Like I said before, that's fine."

Liz ran into the kitchen and climbed into her boaster seat. "I'm all clean, mommy."

"Let's see your hands."

Liz held out her hands for inspection. "You passed." Allysia said putting a plate down in front of Liz.

"Here you go Joey," she said handing him a plate next. He sat down and waited for Allysia.

"Liz," she said as she sat down.

"Okay mommy. God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen."

"Good Liz."

The trio ate. Joey and Liz took turns asking questions. He was amazed at how smart she was.

"Mommy can we watch Tarzan?"

"Sure,"

"Joey will you stay and watch Tarzan too?" Liz asked.

He looked over at Allysia. The look in her eyes told him that she didn't care. He told Liz that he would.

After the movie was over, Allysia put Liz to bed.

"Thanks for coming over Joey." Allysia said, sitting back down on the couch.

"Your welcome."

"Liz is curious about everything that her mom does."

"Does she…"

"Yes. And she understands that her daddy dies and went to see Jesus."

"She's smart isn't she?"

"Very."

Joey softly brushed the hair out her eyes. "I don't know if I should be telling you this or not," he said.

"What ever it is tell me."

"Allysia, in less than a week, I've fallen in love with you."

Tears weld up in her eyes. Joey softly stroked her face and wiped the tears away.

"I knew it was too early to tell you."

"No it isn't that. I've always had feelings for you, but I never had the courage to tell you. And then we went our own separate ways. You and *Nsync, while I went off to college and married Micheal."

"Hey we're together now. So can't we try it out now?"

"You don't want to date me. I have Liz."

"What's so bad about that. She's adorable."

Allysia looked at him with such love in her eyes. Here was a man who was willing to take a chance with her and her daughter. Plus he knew that she was still somewhat emotional due to her loss.

Joey softly kissed her lips, but Allysia held it longer. After their kiss, she lay in his arms.

"Are you sure you can handle this? I mean you're such a ladies man."

"Yet I do want to settle down eventually. Why not start now."

Allysia smiled. She just hoped that he could handle not being able to flirt with other women.

"I better get going," he said a few minutes later. He softly kissed her lips before leaving. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay."

The next morning, Joey was in a mood that none of the guys had ever seen him in.

"What are you in such a good mood for?" Chris asked.

"I have found the girl of my dreams."

"Details." Justin said.

"Her name is Allysia Ellis. She's 23 and I've known her since high school."

"You mean the Allysia Ellis? The dancer?" Johnny asked as he sat in on their conversation.

"That's her."

"You mean to tell me that you're dating the most wanted choreographer in all the world?"

"I guess."

"You guess! Do you know how long I've been trying to get her to choreograph one of *Nsync's dances?"

"How long?"

"About four months. For some reason she won't work for anyone."

They all turned to Joey for an answer. "Her…her…her husband was killed in a car accident a few months ago, so now she mainly focuses on her daughter, Elizabeth."

All the guys looked at him confused. "She's 23 and has a daughter?" JC asked.

"Yep. She went to UNC as a junior when she was really a freshman. So, she graduated about four years ago. That also was when she got married. Then a little less than a year later, her daughter, Elizabeth, was born."

"Whoa." Lance said. "Talk about an heart breaker."

"But do you think you can convince her to choreograph a dance for you guys?" Johnny asked still on the dance subject.

"Maybe, maybe not."

Allysia watched her students dance. Her students had their dance down to a "T."

"Good, good. You all have it down. And you can't do any better than you are now," she said as her students gathered around her.

"Allysia we want to see you dance. You haven't danced in a few weeks." Erika, one of her students, said. Everyone agreed. Allysia simply rolled her eyes.

"Okay what song do you want me to dance to?"

Her students discussed it among themselves for a few seconds. "The Buffy/Angel Love Theme. That's our favorite one," Erika said. The group agreed.

"Since I love each and everyone of you so much I will."

All her students sat down on the edge of the hardwood floor, while Erika put the music on.

"I really don't think she'll like this," Joey said, as he, JC, and Lance entered the dance studio.

"You never know unless you ask." JC said.

They looked around the room. Someone was sitting at the reception desk. "How can I help you sir?" the lady asked."

"I was wondering if Allysia Ellis was here?"

"She's teaching a class at the moment. But she's almost finished. Her class in there," she said pointing towards a room.

"Do you think she's mind if we watched?"

"Not at all. Go right ahead."

They walked into the room and Joey's mouth dropped. "What is it?" Lance asked.

"Shh, shh," he said watching the single dancer. Lance and JC watched.

The dancer was so graceful and smooth with her moves. As the song finished, the students clapped along with the guys.

"Allysia you know that you also promised to show us swing dancing." Derek said.

She pretended to collapse on the floor.

"Are you going to go and see id she's okay?" JC asked.

"Nope. She's just acting." Joey said smiling as he continued to watch her.

"Are you guys trying to kill your dance teacher?" she asked standing up.

"Please Allysia. This is it," Derek begged she had noticed that Joey was there watching. She walked up to him.

"Come on Joey. Let's show them how to swing," she said pulling him to the middle of the floor. Erika put on some swing music. JC, Lance, and her class watched intently as Joey and Allysia danced together. Their moves were smooth and perfect.

"Now why haven't we seen him dance like this before?" Lance asked JC.

"Beats me. But he's good."

Once all her students left, Allysia collapsed in the middle of the floor again. "Now I remember why I love to dance."

"Why is that?" Joey asked looking down at her.

"Just the feeling I have when I'm finished. So who are your friends?"

"JC Chasez and Lance Bass."

Allysia said hello. Then she came to the realization of something. "Why exactly are you here? I know that it wasn't just to say hello."

"Can you prove that?"

"If that was the case then you didn't need to bring your friends."

"Well see, we kinda want you to choreograph one of *Nsync's new songs."

"No," she said with a straight face.

"Come on Allysia! Why not?"

"I'm kidding. I'll do it. You'll just have to give me a few days to listen to the music."

"You've got it," JC said.

"I would love to say and chat, but I need to go pick up Liz," she said walking off.

"Man where did you learn to dance like that?" Lance asked.

"From her. A long time ago."

"Okay good. I think you guys have it," Allysia said as the guys finished their fifth run through of the dance.

"In one night you thought of that dance?" Justin asked.

"Yes. I was up anyways. Sandy was crying all night again."

"Is Sandy your daughter?" Chris asked.

"No Liz is my daughter and Sandy's the puppy," she said as she gathered up her things. "I better get going. Liz needs to be picked up."

The guys watched Allysia leave. "She's a keeper Joey. Even if she does have a daughter." Lance said.

He happened to agree with this.

"When will you be home?" Allysia asked.

"In a few days. So plan on going out that night."

"Okay. Liz has been asking to talk to you on the phone, so do you have time to talk to her?"

"Sure."

Liz took the phone from her mom' hands. "Hi Joey!"

"Hey Liz."

"When you get home can I show you what I learned at school?"

"Sure."

"Okay! Bye Joey!" Liz said as she handed the phone back to her mom.

"I'll see you in a few days."

"I love you Allysia."

"I love you too."

That night that Nsync got back to Orlando, Joey took Allysia out to a nice restaurant. This was a little shocking to her. Usually they would go see a movie or go clubbin'.

All thorough out dinner, Joey was acting a little strange. He wasn't acting like himself.

"Joey what's wrong? You're not yourself tonight."

"Nothing is wrong!"

Allysia looked at him. "Okay there is something," he said standing up. He walked over to her, knelt down on one knee, and took a hold of her hands.

"Allysia will you marry me?"

Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. She nodded yes. Joey took out a diamond ring and slipped it on her left ring finger. She kissed his lips before he stood up and went back to his seat. Allysia was still speechless five minutes later.

"Are you okay, baby?"

"I'm just surprised a little," she said looking at the ring. "Where did you get this?"

"Tiffany's in NYC."

Her mouth dropped. "What?"

"I bought it at Tiffany's."

"Joey..."

"Allysia hush. Not another word about the ring. Besides I dragged the guys with me to pick it out."

She laughed.

"Mommy!"

Liz ran out of the living room and hugged her mom. She then hugged Joey.

"So what did you want to show me Liz?" he asked.

"Come on," she said pulling him into the living room. Allysia paid Ashley and then went into the living room. Joey was sitting down on the couch while Liz was in the middle of the room performing 'I'm a little teapot.'

"Did you like it, Joey?" she asked when she was finished.

"I did."

Allysia sat down on the couch. "Come here Liz. There's something we need to talk about."

Liz went and sat on her mom's lap. "What is it mommy?"

"You know that I love you a lot. But I also want you to have a daddy."

"Why?"

"Just because."

"Who's going to be my daddy?"

"Joey wants to. Is that okay?"

"Will you still be my mommy?"

"Of course! I'll always be your mommy."

"Then it's okay," the little girl said as she hugged her mom's neck. She then whispered something into Allysia's ear.

"If you want to."

Liz moved from her mom's lap over to Joey's. She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"I love you daddy," she said with a smile on her face. Joey was speechless.

"Come on let's get to bed Liz."

Joey hugged Liz before she took ahold of her mom's hand and left the room. When Allysia came back, Joey was still speechless. She sat down and leaned against him. "So how does it feel to be called daddy?"

"It feels so different."

"Well get used to it, because she'll call you it for now on. And you know that if you want to legally be her father, you're going to have to adopt her."

"And I do. And I want to if it's okay with you."

"It is," she said kissing his lips.

The next few months were crazy. Allysia, her parents, and Joey's parents were planning the wedding, while *Nsync was on tour. A few days before the wedding, Joey legally became Liz's dad. And that was something that made everything else that was going on seem better.

The wedding ceremony was going to be held at the church that Allysia's parents attended in Phoenix. Then the reception would follow at the Camelback Inn and Resort. The reason that the wedding would be in Phoenix was because Allysia's family was there and that was where *Nsync was ending their tour.

Joey was extremely nervous the day of the wedding. That was until he saw Allysia walking down the aisle with her father escorting her. She looked so beautiful. After the wedding ceremony, the reception was held in one of the ballrooms at Camelback Inn. And the reception was just as beautiful as the wedding ceremony was.

While Allysia and Joey were on their honeymoon, Allysia's parents watched Liz. Once they returned from Europe, Allysia, Liz, and Sandy moved in with Joey. Then a few weeks later, *Nsync had to go back on the road until Christmas.

Allysia and Liz did travel a little with the guys around Thanksgiving and Liz's fourth birthday. And all the guys thought it was cute when Liz called Joey daddy. After New Year's, it was back on the road for a few more weeks. During this time, Allysia found something out.

Liz watched her mom dance. "Mommy, I want to try now."

"Okay just follow my moves."

Liz mirrored her mother's exact movements. As they were dancing, someone walked into the studio. The person stood in the doorway and watched. As they finished, the figure began to clap. Liz and Allysia both turned around.

"Daddy!" Liz said running towards Joey. He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.

"Now what are you two up to?"

"Mommy said that she wanted to dance after we got done at the doctor's office." Liz said.

He looked over at Allysia as she walked towards him. "Baby are you okay?" he asked as they hugged and softly kissed.

"I'm fine."

"Joey could tell that she wasn't, but he didn’t want to worry about it. Whatever it was, she didn't want to scare Elizabeth with it, he thought.

"Daddy can we go out to dinner?"

"What does your mom want to do?"

"That's fine. I don't care," she said as they walked out of the studio. Allysia set the alarm and locked the door. She decided to leave her car there until that next morning.

By the time they were finished with dinner and got home, it was about 9 pm. Allysia and Joey put Liz to bed.

"Baby what's wrong?" Joey asked as she curled up in a little ball against him on the couch.

"I'm just tired."

"No. Why did you go to the doctor's today?"

"I'm pregnant."

"We're going to have a baby! How? When? How long have you known?"

"I think you know how. I'm about 6 weeks along. And I found out today," she said looking at him in the eyes.

"So when are you due?"

Allysia thought for a second. "Sometime in September."

"You know *Nsync's summer tour is already planned and it runs into early September."

"That's fine. I know that my mom will fly down. She did when Liz was born."

The guys were relaxing on the bus after their concert in LA. They were on their way to San Diego. They were almost there when Joey got an interesting phone call. It was from Allysia's mother.

"She's what!" he said shocked.

"She's gone into labor."

"It's too early."

"Only by about a week."

"I'll be on the next flight out of San Diego."

Joey hung up the phone and looked at all the guys. "Sorry I can't make the concert. Allysia's gone into labor."

"Then you better be there instead of here." JC said.

Joey walked up to the nurse's station in the maternity ward. "How can I help you sir?"

"I was wondering what room Allysia Fatone is in?"

"She's in room 226,"

"Thank you."

Joey walked down the hall. The door was opened to her room. He walked in. Allysia was lying on the bed with her mom holding her hand. She looked up at him. Her face was flushed.

"You look good, Allysia," he said as he walked over to her and gently kissed her lips. Allysia's mother had moved out of the way. He put his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes.

"I love you," he said kissing her lips. She stroked his face and put her arm around his neck.

"It hurts so much. Make it all go away," she whispered.

"I would if I could," he said sitting down in the chair next to her bed. A few seconds later, a contraction hit. She gripped his hand very hard.

"Well it looks like your baby is ready to be delivered," Dr. Jefferies said looking at the readout from the monitor. Joey almost fainted when he said that.

About thirty minutes later, Joey was holding a tiny human in his arms, wrapped in a soft pink blanket. He softly kissed his newborn daughter's forehead, before placing her in Allysia's arms.

"What do you want to name her?" Allysia asked.

"I've always liked Jessica."

"What about Jessica Anne Fatone?"

"Sounds good to me."

Over the next few years, Joey and Allysia's lives would both change even more. They had one more child; a little baby named Alex. *Nsync continued to record yet didn't tour as much. All the guys had married and wanted to settle down. And of course, Joey was more than happy about that.

Now he could be the husband and father that he wanted to be.