Blue Siofra (blue_siofra) wrote in butterfly_fics, @ 2008-12-30 02:20:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !-all fics, *rating: pg-13, +length: novella, -fandom: nsync, =the melody of life, ^jc/melody, jc chasez, melody beam (ofc) |
The Melody of Life (5/7)
Title: The Melody of Life (5/7)
Author: blue_siofra
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Jc Chasez/Ofc, Lance Bass, rest of *N Sync
Summary: Jc meets a woman and his life changes dramatically.
Chapter 41
Josh and I awoke to the sound of his alarm. We ate a quick breakfast before we left. We loaded all our stuff onto the bus, including Amanda. I would have left her with Mom, but lately she’s been acting funny. As soon as we have some food and were ready, we leave. I went and stretched out on one of the bunks. The rocking must have lulled me to sleep, because the next thing I knew, Josh was on the bed across from me, sleeping with a book lying on his chest. I reach for my bag and get my camera out and take a picture of him like that. I look at my watch and realize it’s almost lunchtime. I get out of the bed and head to the kitchenette. I got out a can of soup and heated it up. By the time it was finished, Josh was wandering in. I offered him some soup. He shook his head no, and found some crackers to eat instead.
“Did you enjoy your nap?” I asked him. He nodded.
“Did you like yours?” he asked. I nodded. When we finished eating, we wandered to the back and found a play station, along with some games. I found Harry Potter and played it for a few hours until I was sleepy again. Amanda had disappeared on the bus. I got out some food and water for her and went and took a short nap, waking when Josh told me dinner was ready. Amanda had curled up on my stomach. I looked down at her.
“What’s the matter, Amanda? You’ve been acting funny for the last few months. You haven’t even eaten either in the past day. I hope you’re alright.” I picked her up carefully and placed her on my pillow. I went out to the little table to find Chinese takeout on the table, waiting to be eaten.
“Josh, you know you don’t have to impress me anymore.” I say, sitting down.
“I know. I just wanted dinner to feel like we’re more at home.” he said, sitting down across from me.
As we ate, we talked about what it would be like at the award show. Josh had been through this so much, it was old hat to him.
“Being with you for all of this, Mel, is like seeing the music industry through new eyes. It’s more exciting to me now than it was before I met you.” he said at one point. As it normally did, the conversation turned to things and stuff. We talked about our wedding, and decided on August 2nd as the big day. It was exactly halfway between our birthdays.
We finished dinner and watched a movie on the DVD player. When the movie finished, Josh and I headed to bed. Amanda curled up on my pillow. I drifted off into dreamless sleep.
Chapter 42
The next morning, I woke up because my pillow was wet. I turned my head to see why the pillow was wet and saw Amanda on it, with some balls of wet fur pressed up against her belly. I sat up and turned to look at her.
“Oh Amanda! I’m sorry I didn’t know that you were expecting!” I whispered to her. I got up and sat on Josh’s bed.
“Josh, hon, get up. Amanda had kittens!” I say to him, shaking him awake.
Josh sat up immediately.
“What?” he asked me.
“Amanda had kittens. Five of them, look!” I say, pointing to my bed. Josh turned to look at her. As Josh and I watched, she had another one. She pushed it out and then once it was out, she leaned back and licked the sac off the baby.
“I hope I know what to do when it’s time for ours to come.” I whisper to Josh.
“You will, Mel, you will.” he said, putting his arm around my waist.
When the kitten found it’s way to Amanda’s belly, Josh and I went to the front of the bus, where our phones were. Josh got on his, calling by the sounds of it, Joey. Joey must have called Lance, because the next thing I knew, my phone was ringing. Lance told me to call my vet, and to ask her what to do, until then, leave Amanda alone. I called Amanda’s vet and asked her what we should do. The vet told us to leave Amanda alone, but make sure she gets plenty of fluids and food.
I went to sit on Josh’s bed to check on Amanda. She seemed to be doing fine. Feeling inspired, I found the journal my mother gave me and started to write.
When I had finished it, I went back to find Josh. I found him at the table with the phone still at his ear.
“Honey, if you keep that thing attached to your ear, you won’t be around to see your child grow up.” I said, sitting down across from him. He threw me a glance, then told the person he was talking to that he had to go, and that he hoped to see them soon. I gave Josh my journal. He read through the song, then looked up at me.
“Hon, I think this is the best song you’ve written so far. It’s just awesome. Love you.” he said.
“Love you too.” I said, smiling at him.
The rest of the trip out to LA was uneventful. Johnny had our hotel arrangements changed so we could bring Amanda and her kittens in with us. Josh and I were happy to arrive in LA. Those beds were very small.
Chapter 43
After we reached the hotel and got Amanda and her kittens settled in, we went sightseeing. The guys arrived later that night. Lance and Joey came by to see the kittens. They both thought the kittens were adorable. The next day was the pre award-primping day. We all spent the day doing errands. I tried on the dress we got and found that it was already too small. Lance and I went out and found a new dress, but you could still see that I was expecting.
“I guess it’s time to let everyone know.” I said, looking at myself in the mirror.
“I guess so.” Lance said. I had brought him because I trusted his opinion and I wanted to surprise Josh with the way I looked the next day.
The day of the awards came quickly. I was going to be whisked to a spa for the morning and afternoon. Josh and the guys had the day to get themselves ready. I met up with the guy’s dates at the spa. We spent the day bonding over masks and hair treatments and everything. When we were ready, we got into the limo and headed to the hotel to pick up the guys. The guys got into the limo. Josh sat next to me.
“You got a new dress.” he said, looking at me.
“I grew out of the other one already. You look really good. If you look this great, I can’t wait until August 2nd.” I said. Josh grinned. He took my hand.
“I’m so happy you’re so confident during this time, while you carry our child. I love you so much.”
We arrived at the venue where the awards were being held. Chris got out first, then his date. Lance got out next, and then Joey preceded Kelly, then Justin and Britney got out. Josh climbed out and then offered his hand to me. I took hold of it and climbed out. I was blinded by flashes. Josh took my left hand and we headed down the red carpet, talking to a few reporters. We even signed a few autographs on the way in. At least a few wanted to know when I was due. I told them that whenever the baby comes, it comes. When we got into the building, Josh started laughing.
“’When it comes is when I’m due?’” he says, laughter still etched onto his face.
“Shut up. I think it’s very diplomatic.” I said.
We found our seats and sat down. The guys sat with us. When the time came, the guys went up and accepted their award. I listened intently to their thank you’s. Especially when Josh got up there.
“I’d like to thank everyone I know. Especially Mom and Dad, my innumerous family members, and a very special thank you to my angel. Everything seems so new with you here to encourage me to be my very best.” after they finished, the show went to commercial, and then my category came up. I acted surprised when they named me. I went up to accept my award.
“I’d like to thank everyone that was involved in my album, and for the guidance of it all. Lance, you’re an awesome manager, I couldn’t ask for anyone better. Mom, thanks for all the support, and also, my musical angel for everything he’s taught me, and thank you for being by my side through everything we’ve been through. And of course, the fans, for making this award happen.” I went backstage when I finished. Josh hugged me when I got back there.
“So I’m a musical angel, am I?” he asked.
“Well, you’re my angel and you’re musically talented.” I said. Josh looked down at me and placed a kiss on my nose.
When the show was over, we got our gift baskets and headed back to the hotel. Joey called Josh’s cell, inviting us to an after party. Josh and I declined because we were exhausted, and we headed back to the hotel.
Chapter 44
The trip home was uneventful. When we arrived home, Josh got on the phone with someone. I settled Amanda back in. Josh got on the phone with someone, and it sounded like he was planning something with them. I went upstairs and crawled into my bed. I didn’t sleep here much, but I wasn’t ready to give my bed up yet. I picked up the baby name book and started reading names. I started to fantasize what it would be like after the baby was born. I couldn’t imagine how it would be. I wrote down my favorite names that I’ve read so far, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
As January continued, my baby belly got larger. I was quickly growing out of clothes. I also got weird cravings for food at the weirdest times. I wanted a cheeseburger for breakfast one morning, then ten minutes later I wanted a pizza. Poor Josh was going crazy trying to keep up with my moods. The guys gave up and decided to stay out of the way, after I blew up at Lance one day as we were going over some work stuff.
One day Jack came over.
“What?” I asked him.
“We’ve found a baby to adopt. We’re putting in the paperwork to adopt him. He’s almost a year old, but we think he’s the best one we’ve seen so far.” he said.
“Really? That’s great, Jack. When is the adoption going to be final? When can we meet him.
“The adoption may take a while, but you can meet him soon. I wanted to tell you first. My next stop is to tell Mom. Wish me luck.” Jack said as he left.
I went to the studio that Josh had, and we now shared. I sat at the piano and just played. I didn’t even look up until some time later when I sensed someone standing behind me. I looked up to find Cassie standing there.
“A social service lady contacted me today.” she said. I gestured for her to sit down. She sat next to me.
“She told me that someone wanted to adopt my son. I didn’t expect it to take this long. I don’t know how I feel about him being adopted now.” she said.
“Well, why not?” I asked her.
“I’ve gotten used to the idea of him being there, where I can ask for him back at anytime, I guess. If he’s adopted, I’ll never see him again. I want to be able to see him from time to time.” Cassie said. I leaned over and hugged her.
“It may seem weird, but I’ve missed talking to you.” she said into my shoulder.
“I missed talking to you too. It may seem weird, but would you like to be one of my bridesmaids?” I asked her. She sat back.
“You’re getting married?” she said. I showed her my left hand.
“Josh proposed on Christmas Eve. We’re getting married in August. I want you to be in the wedding. I feel like I never missed anything when we’re together. Must be the close age range. I like to think of you more as like the sister I never had. Is that alright with you?” I asked her.
Cassie got a large smile on her face.
“Melody! I’m so happy for the two of you! Of course I’ll be one of your bridesmaids!” she squealed. She hugged me again.
We talked a little while longer before she went home. That night in bed, I realized a funny thing that had happened that day. I smiled as I fell asleep.
Chapter 45
January turned into February. I was faced with the decision of releasing my next single or just wait until my sophomore album was more ready to be released. The pregnancy was helping my writing, and I had many songs ready to record and some already recorded. I talked Josh into doing a duet with me on my second album, and he didn’t know it yet, but the one I was planning on using for it was going to be the poem he wrote me for my birthday last year.
When I wasn’t writing, I was busy with baby and wedding preparations. Josh and I were planning on a secret wedding, one that the media wouldn’t know about until after it happened. We were very tight lipped about any questions like that when we were in public. As far as we knew, nobody we hadn’t told personally didn’t know that we were engaged.
The guys were planning a tour, shorter than the ones they used to do, this one only from mid May until late July. A week before my birthday, actually.
Amanda’s kittens were growing fast. Josh and I decided to sell them, maybe keeping one. I had one set aside for Joey, he picked it out for his birthday. In a few more weeks, they would be ready to be taken away from Amanda.
Josh and I were in the nursery, getting the major stuff done. I was hanging curtains while Josh was working on the walls. He was sanding them down and painting them pastel colors. I didn’t want an all pink or all blue room, and end up with the wrong gender. So we decided that a pastel rainbow of sorts would look cool. I was getting ready to hang up some curtains when I felt the baby move, only it felt more concentrated, like it was pushing against the wall of my womb. I dropped the curtains and placed my hands where I felt it. Josh looked over at me.
“Are you alright, Mel?” he called over to me, with a hint of worry in his voice.
I look over at him. He’s covered in paint splotches, and he was holding a paint roller. I started to laugh. Josh starts to look puzzled.
“The baby just kicked.” I managed to say between fits of laughter.
“So why are you laughing?” Josh asked me.
“I don’t know. I just looked at you and had to laugh.” I say. The baby kicks again.
“Come over here and feel it.” Josh puts the roller down and makes his way over to me. He puts his hand where I tell him to. The baby kicks again. Josh’s face turns to amazement.
“It’s so hard to believe that there’s a human being in there. Life is so amazing.” he looks into my eyes.
“I feel so blessed and lucky that I have found the one person that would do this for me, for us. I can’t believe how more beautiful she gets everyday. I find it harder to remember how I ever lived without her. I love you, Melody.” he said.
“I love you too, Josh.”
Josh leans in and places a kiss on my lips. I kiss him back, and we stay embraced for what seems like a long time. We eventually go back to work on the room, getting ready for the baby’s arrival.
Chapter 46
Josh’s rehearsals became longer and more frequent. I took it much more easier at seven months along. The Grammies were coming up, and I couldn’t believe that I was going to go to them. I was enjoying being pregnant, but I was dying to find out if Josh and I had a daughter or a son. In a few days, Josh and I were going to leave for the Grammies, like we did for the People’s Choice. I took Mom with me shopping, looking for yet more maternity clothes. Josh was going to join us later, after lunch, to do some shopping for the baby and also for some birthdays we had coming up. Mom left us at lunchtime, taking the bags of things we got out to Josh’s car for us. Josh and I headed to a department store, where I found this one really cute top that I wanted to try on. I waddled into the dressing room with it. I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I gasped loudly as I doubled over, sinking to the floor. Not being able to get up, I started pounding on the walls of the room. The sales lady came running to me, and opened the door. Josh was right behind her. He took one look at my tear-stained face and told the sales lady to call an ambulance. Josh stayed by my side as we waited for the ambulance, and he held my hand on the way to the hospital. When we got there, he had to stay in the waiting room and fill out papers while they rushed me into the treatment area. They took my blood pressure, drew blood, and stuck an IV into my arm. They asked me many questions, I guess to make sure I wasn’t delusional. When they finished with all they could immediately do, they left. I was alone for a few hours, excluding the many check-ins the nurses did. My doctor finally came in and looked me over.
“Melody, we believe that you were experiencing something we call premature labor. It’s common for some women, and you will be fine. I’m slightly worried because of how early this is. I’m going to make you go on bed rest. You’ll only be allowed out of bed for ten minutes everyday, including bathroom time. I don’t want to risk you going into labor too early.” my doctor went on to explain any of my questions about it, and then left.
Shortly after my doctor left, Josh was allowed in to see me. I could tell by the look on his face that my doctor had told him the diagnosis. He looked terrible, like he was only a jumble of nerves. I smiled at him.
“Well, I guess there is always next year for the Grammies.” I said. Josh smiled weakly.
“Oh Mel. I was so afraid that I might lose you. I’m so relieved that you’re going to be alright. I was afraid that they would come to me and tell me to choose between you and the baby. I couldn’t even imagine life without you. I love you.” he said as he sat down in the chair next to my bed.
“Oh Josh. I love you too. I’m going to be alright. I just can’t go anywhere.” tears welled up in my eyes.
“I wouldn’t change anything in my life. I wouldn’t even do any of it over if it meant that I’d never meet you.”
Josh looked down at me, with a tear rolling down his face.
“You mean that?” he asked.
“I do. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are my very soul.” I let the tears I’ve been holding in roll down my face. Josh reaches up and wipes the tears away. I pull his arm across my body, and he leans to me. We share a passionate kiss.
Chapter 47
“Mom, could I get another glass of milk?” I ask into the baby monitor next to me. I hear Mom call up the stairs that she’ll be right there. I turn the television on to the channel that will air the Grammies. Josh was reluctant to go, leaving me home alone. Mom stepped in and said that she would stay here, helping me. I told Josh that If I won the award I was up for to accept it for me. The phone rang. I picked it up.
“How’s my sweet Melody?” I hear.
“I’m doing fine, Josh. Where are you? I’m watching the red carpet. I don’t see you yet.”
“We’re here, in the line of limos. We’ll be out soon.” Mom came up and put the milk next to me, and mouthed ‘Who is it?’ I mouthed back that it was Josh.
“We’re getting out now, Mel.” Josh said into the phone. I watched the TV screen, watching the guys get out of their limo. Josh was the last one out. He looked funny being there without a date, and on his phone. I smiled.
“You won’t believe this, but there is this guy all dressed up on the red carpet, he’s dateless AND he’s on his cell. How tacky.” I said into the phone. I saw Josh laugh. He walks up towards the building with the guys. I told him to stop and talk to the people that were doing the coverage that I was watching. Josh stopped the guys, and they all answered questions about how excited they were to be there. They asked Josh how I was doing, and they wanted to know where I was. I listened as Josh answered them.
“Melody is doing great. She wasn’t able to come here tonight, and babe, ‘Something Like You’.” I hear it from both the television and the phone.
As they walk away, I tell him how sweet he was. As he walked into the building, we said our love you’s and hung up. I watched as the guys won their first Grammy. When my category comes up, Josh called me. When they announced my name, I let out a scream. Josh walked up to the podium.
“Excuse my phone, but I’m going to say Melody’s speech straight from her own mouth.” he went on, repeating everything I said. I was sure that this little trick was going to go down in history as a first.
Mom was sitting next to me, laughing as Josh thanked himself for me. I started laughing too, watching it on the TV. I was so happy I was taping it, our child could laugh at Daddy thanking himself for loving Mommy.
The next day, Josh arrived home again. I showed him the tape of him thanking himself, and we both had a good laugh.
Chapter 48
After a month and a half of the strict bed rest, my doctor gave us the good news that I was allowed to be up and about for up to an hour. Josh had finished up the nursery for me, and we were ready for the baby’s arrival. We had names picked out, and were waiting to see what we were going to have.
The fist day I was allowed to be up for an hour was looking like it would be a nice April day. I got out of bed to stretch and to go to the bathroom. I went to the window and stood there, looking out it into the beautiful morning, when I felt a mild discomfort, and felt an oozing sensation, and looked down to see a clear liquid flowing out from between my legs. I waddled over to the bed.
“Josh! Wake up!” I say, trying to shake him awake. Josh rolls over and opens one eye.
“What?” he says.
“My water just broke.” I say. Josh opens both eyes.
“Really?” he says, sitting up.
“Yes. Come on, get dressed and let’s go.” I grab a pair of flip-flops and put them on. Josh pulls some clothes on. He grabs the bag of clothes we had packed the week before. Josh threw a towel on the floor to mop up the fluid on the carpet. Josh dove us to the hospital where we checked in. They took me up the maternity floor and put me into a delivery room. Pretty soon, my doctor was in checking me over. She said that it would be a little while before anything happens. Josh went out and made some phone calls. Pretty soon, the guys start arriving to wish me luck. Jack was on duty, so he stopped in and then Mom came in to see me. It seemed like an eternity, but also, in some weird paradox, time seemed to fly by really fast. Soon I was breaking Josh’s hand as he held mine while I pushed. I found a strength in my body that I never knew I had. After one last gigantic push, Josh and I heard a baby’s cry. I lie back, knowing that was the cry of my own child. The nurse called out the time. My doctor looked up at Josh and me.
“You have a very beautiful baby girl. Ten fingers, ten toes, and an awesome set of lungs, as you heard.”
Josh kissed my forehead as I was handed our daughter. I looked down at my daughter for the first time. She was so beautiful. She had a feminine version of Josh’s nose, my lips, and our eyes. The top of her small head had a fine covering of dark brown hair. As I held her, she opened her eyes and looked up at me. They were the same shade as both Josh and mine.
“Welcome to the world, sweetie. Happy birthday.” Josh leaned over and kissed her on her forehead.
“I love you, my sweet little daughter.” he whispered to her. The nurse came over and asked us what we were going to name her. Josh gave the nurse my favorite name that we had picked out. The nurse took her from me and cleaned her up a bit. She also put the ankle tag on her. My doctor finished up with the afterbirth procedure, and told me that I would be taken to a private room shortly. She congratulated us and left. Josh stayed with me for a few more minutes before he went out to the waiting room and announced the arrival of our daughter to the guys and my mother.
After a few hours, I was ready for visitors and everyone came in, carrying gifts and stuff for the baby and us.
“So, what did you guys name her?” Mom asked me. I looked over at Josh.
“You didn’t tell them?” I said.
“I figured you could do that. I told them she was here.” He said. Just then, they wheeled her into the room for a feeding.
“Guys, I want you all to meet Arabella Madison Chasez.” I said.
Chapter 49
Bringing home Arabella seemed surreal. I knew it would take some time to adjust.
Josh’s parents and siblings were coming to stay for a few days. The thought of meeting his mother made me nervous. Josh and I have been together for almost a year, but because his mom lived in Maryland, I hadn’t met her yet.
Josh seemed totally taken by Arabella. Almost every time I saw him when I was awake, he was carrying Arabella around and singing softly to her. The look on his face every time he saw her was one of pure love. It made me realize all over again why I loved him so much.
When we went to pick up his family at the airport, we left Arabella at home with mom. Josh held my hand as we waited for them to get off the plane.
“MOM! DAD! TJ! HEATHER!” he yelled over all the noise. Four people came over to us. The older couple hugged him as his siblings said hello to me. Then Josh introduced us. We headed to the car since none of them checked in luggage. When we arrived at home, I introduced them all to my mother.
Karen, his mother, picked up Arabella and started cooing at her. The four of them took turns holding her and cooing over her.
That night in bed, I turned to Josh.
“Why do I feel like your mom doesn’t like me?” I asked him.
“She didn’t want me to tell you, but she went out and bought Melody of Life when it came out, she wanted to get to know you. She knew how I felt about you, and since the two of you hadn’t met, she felt that she might be able to get to know the girl that had swept her son clean off his feet by listening to her music. She feels like she knows you, that’s all. Trust me. If she didn’t like you, you’d know.” he said. He leaned over and kissed me.
“I love you.” he said, rolling over and falling asleep.
Chapter 50
Arabella had just turned a month old when Josh went on tour. My days turned into a blur of wedding plans, fittings, exercising, and Arabella. Josh called every night and told me how much he missed us. I kept him up to date on the wedding plans and our daughter. I wrote our vows. Josh had told me that he trusted me on this. I told him he could always add to them.
A few days after Josh had left, Mom came running into our kitchen with the latest issue of People. She opened to the page with all the latest celeb news. Near the section about births was a picture of me and Josh at the People’s Choice. Next to the picture was the announcement that Arabella had arrived. I called Josh. He seemed somewhat excited about it. I reminded him to get the rings, and let him go.
When Josh came home from tour, we had a big talk. We decided to wait until our honeymoon to be intimate with each other again. We had so many things to do, and time seemed to speed up. I didn’t know if we would get every thing ready in time.
I woke up to an empty room on my 23rd birthday. I had been so busy lately that I had completely forgotten about my birthday. On Josh’s pillow was a single pink rose with a note attached to it. The note said that Arabella was with Josh for the day, and he was going to run errands all day, but that he would be back in the late afternoon, take the day off of planning and spend it pampering my body so that I would look even more beautiful for our wedding.
I spent the day doing at home spa things. I couldn’t believe that I was getting married in six days. Within a week, I would be Mrs. Chasez. The thought was mind boggling.
Josh arrived home without Arabella.
“Your mom was more than happy to take her for the night. She says happy birthday, by the way.” he said, kissing my cheek. Josh went into the kitchen to start dinner. We enjoyed an awesome meal and cuddled on the couch for a long time. We talked long into the night. I didn’t want the night to end, it all felt so magical. It was the most intimate birthday I had ever had. I felt as though the bond between Josh and myself had reached new levels.