Chapter 2:

"What are you doing up,"JC said rubbing his sleepy eyes.Emily looked up at the man who willingly shared his home to her.

"I, umm, can't sleep,"Emily told him finding herself stumbling over her words. JC sat down in a chair and put his head on the table.

"God, I can't stand early calls,"he yawned. Emily watched him try to shake hisself awake completly mesmurized at his actions.She turned her attention back to the cofee dripping from the pot realizing just how sleepy she truly was. Yawning, Emily layed her head on the cabinet and JC noticed that she was out like a light he chuckled and quickly picked her up. Deciding, she would wake up if he tryed to make it up the stairs he placed her on one of his couches. Returning to the kitchen to drink the coffee she had made for herself JC smiled pleasantly.

Emily awoke to the familar smell of bacon and eggs. As she walked into the kitchen she saw JC in an apron cooking something she let out a girlish giggle. "What you've never seen a man in a Kiss The Cook apron,"JC joked and went back to stirring the pancake batter. Emily heard the familar scamper of little feet come into the kitchen. Nikki hugged her father close as he kissed her nose. Kaitlyn crawled into Emily's arms and held her tight. Emily hoped and prayed she hadn't had the same dream.

"Mommy, Daddy won't hurt me here will he,"Kaitlyn asked her mother the only person she trusted besides her new friend Nikki. Tears immediatly came to Emily's eyes as she whispered into her daughter's ear soothing words to calm her down. She meant every word of it James was not going to hurt her baby again if she could help it. JC eyed the little girl with curiousness in his stare wondering why she seemed so scared.

"What ya cookin, Daddy,"Nikki asked her father happily. JC smiled and began to name everything he had made.Nikki giggled at her daddy's sillyness. "Guess what Daddy me and Kaitlyn are going to go to school today arent we,"She asked him wondering what the answer was with her big blue eyes.

"Well, if Kaitlyn wants to go with you she can baby,"JC told his little angel. Nikki began to ask Kaitlyn to go with her as Emily led them upstairs to get dressed. She dressed Kaitlyn in a pair of shorts and a little top. Nikki wanted to wear her shorts/overalls and a sleeveless orange shirt. Each girl looked remarkably beautiful and Emily knew when they grew up they would be heart breakers. It seemed as if Emily was always the one getting her heart broken instead of the other way around. "Are my two favorite girls ready to go to pre'school,"JC asked as he walked in. He wasn't wearing his apron anymore but a pair of baggy jeans and a black shirt. With the same necklace, Emily noticed he never took off. The two little girls follwed him off. Emily had the house to herself she almost didnt know what to do with herself. She went upsatirs and turned some bathwater on in JC's huge jacuzzi style bathtub. Getting some clothes, she went back into the bathroom.

After her bath, she felt equally refreshed. Turning on the TV she saw JC's face plastered on it with the two other guys she had met just yesterday and two complete strangers. The announcer was telling about a musical group named NSYNC and that is when it hit her JC was part of this pop group. Imediatly intrigued dieing to hear them sing she went up to his room and flipped through his CD's till she found the one she was looking for. The melody of Gone played through the speakers as she listened humming along quietly with the tune. She couldn't get enough of the sweet melody and their rythmatic voices. She found herslef crying over the song Selfish and laughing over the song Up Against the Wall. Realizing the really were just men but the songs made her fall in love with each of them for very defferent reason. She fell for the babyness in Justin's voice, and the reality in JC's voice, the smoothness in Lance's voice, the emotion in Chris's voice,and the way Joey hit each note perfectly. She found herself being seranaded over and over again by the tune Something Like You. The song Gone made her heart hurt more than anything she had ever experienced before. She closed her eyes and before she knew it she was asleep the tunes still playing in her head.

JC walked into his room to find a beautiful creature laying on his bed intrigued by the music feeling the empty room and her shallow breaths. He knew she was asleep fighting the urge to kiss her he gently shook her to wake her up. "Oh God JC I am sorry,"She said jumping up startled. He smiled to tell her everything was fine.

"I have to go do some stuff for my group I shouldn't be in no later than 10 can you tuck Nikki in for me,"he asked. Emily told him she would and ventured downstairs to find the two little girls each becomming more special to her with every breath they took.

"Mommy, look what I colored,"Kaitlyn proudly exclaimed showing her a picture of four stick figures. and a small blob.

"Wow, baby what is this," Emily asked smiling at the young girl who didn't know it but was Emily's reason to keep on breathing. When she had told her parents she was pregnant with a child they had bassically showed there disaproaval and she left their house not returning back untill this day.

"It's me , you, JC, and Nikki,"Kaitlyn stated like it was the most obvious answer in the world. "And that is Baby," Kaitlyn said as she proudly hung it on the refrigerator with care. Nikki was eating some cookies and dipping them in milk. The day was filled with things little girls did but Emily gladly tucked the sleepy girls in bed that night knowing she needed the rest also. She went through the house to pick up the various toys they had played with and then went to clean up the kitchen from where she had cooked dinner. JC walked through the kitchen door just as Emily dried the last dish and put it in its right place in the cabinet. Again he was resisting the urge to kiss and hold her. He didn't know where all these feelings came from he never felt like this before.

"Rough day at the office, Mr. Chasez,"Emily joked sitting on a chair beside him at the table. JC groaned at the corniness of her joke as she wrinkled her nose and gave a small laugh. Not knowing what she was doing she got up and began to massage his shoulders. He moaned as she hit just the right spots with her fingertips. She smiled and continued to massage his tensed shoulders. His moans became more shallow as she worked on his neck. She leaned down and came close to his ears. "Better,"she whispered. JC couldn't talk he just nodded yes and resisted yet another urge to kiss her soft , full, pouty lips. "Good-night,"she whispered in his ear as she turned to make her way up the stairs.

JC went upsatairs took a shower and climbed into bed still smelling the sweet way she smelled still remembering the tremors he felt under her touch. He couldn't explain why he felt this way. He didn't know if it was love or what. He should know what love was he had sung songs about it for as long as he could remember. Finnally after not being able to find the answers to his questions he went to sleep. The next morning Nikki woke him up. It was Saturday one of the only days he could sleep late but he was still happy to see this little Darlings face as she gave him kisses on the cheek promising if he got up she would be good.

"Daddy, you just have to get up,"Nikki begged wanting nothing more than to roll over and go back to sleep JC reluctantly got up not knowing what kind of power this 3 year old had over him. JC changed into some clothes and walked with her down the stairs.He smelled every good thing he could imagine."Daddy is up we can go!!!!"Nikki explained.

"Let's eat first baby doll,"Emily told her smiling. Nikki explained to her daddy that they were going to the park for an hour or two. They all ate together talking and laughing and listening to the little stories little girls tell. They looked like a picture perfect family straight out of a Christmas greeting card. Emily got the children ready for the park and pilled into the car. JC took the drivers side and drove them to the nearest park. The two girl scampered off to play in the sandbox as JC and Emily sat near one another on a park bench.

"So, Emily we haven't really got a chance to get to know one another,"JC told her as they each watched the two girls happily playing.

"Well, what would you like to know about me,"Emily asked willing to share almost anything with this man she hardly knew. The two began to talk of everything there likes and dislikes and in the course of two hours they seemed to know everything about one another. They rounded the two girls up and took them back home to get them feed and settled down for a nap.

"Emily, would you like to go out to eat with me tonight...I could get Justin to watch the girls,"JC asked her she looked at him questionably.

"You mean like on a date,"She asked almost scared of the answer she hadn't been on one of those for at least 3 years.

"No, I just want to feed you," JC told her his green eyes sparkling with a new twinkle in his eyes. She accepted the offer and he called Justin to make arrangements. JC wanted this to be special he had planned to begin a process that would win her heart over to him. The rest of the day was just as busy as any other. JC sat down with Emily and the girls to play barbies pretending to be the handsome prince who came to rescue the beautiful princess. Escaping to a dream world the little girls had created. The whole time his heart was telling him Emily could be his meant to be. He had never fell so fast for anyone. Then it was time for the two to leave as Emily walked down the stairs he sa how truly beautiful she was. Her once curly hair was now straightened and hung way past her shoulders and the little red dress she was wearing seemed to hug every curve down her body.

"Ready,"she asked with a smile on her face. He led her out to his jeep making sure to open her door for her. A familar song played over the radio as Emily began to sing along. Jc found himself mezmurized by her voice not wanting her to stop singing. When they got to the reasturant she looked around almost looking like a stranger to the whole wine and dine situation. He pulled out her chair for her so she could sit down before making his own way to the seat right across from her. Peering over her menu she saw JC had already put his down.

"Want me to order for you," he slightly chuckled. A blush came over Emily's face as she nodded yes. The waiter came jotting down thier orders and Emily and JC's dinner conversation began. "Emily, I had every intention of this being a date but if you don't wanna see it as that we won't," JC told her. She smiled at him and said she would like to think of it as the first in many dates to come. That is when JC knew she felt something for him also. The thought almost caused a smile to creep across his face. His cell-phone rang and he picked it up to turn it on. "Hello,"he said into the receiver.

"JC, you need to come home quick,"Justin said into the phone almost estatic with worry. JC's smile fell into a frown.

"What is wrong, Justin,"he begged to know. He could here Justin sigh on the phone with every intention of telling him when he got home so this wouldn't upset him driving back. "Dammit, Justin, tell me,"JC pleaded Emily could see the tears forming in his eyes.

"Kelly came and took Nikki...,"Justin told his friend. JC hung up on Justin and slammed his hand into the table. Emily was worried by now as JC grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her chair. They quickly got in the car but Emily noticed they weren't going back to the house they were going to the otherside of town. JC explained everything to Emily as he constantly wiped the tears from his eyes. Pulling up to a broke down house JC slammed the car into park and ran into the house. Emily heard screaming and shouting when suddenly JC ran out craddling a shaking Nikki in his arms.

"She has no right to take Nikki, she will have to take my ass to court before she could ever have my baby,"JC said handing Nikki over to Emily so he could drive. Nikki was crying and shaking all over.

"My God ,JC, she has a fever,"Emily said feeling the young girls burning forhead. JC had a look of worry on his face as he tryed his best to wipe away his small daughter's tears. She was shaking all over though. "Should we take her to the hospital,"Emily asked becoming worried. JC got the hint and drove to the hospital. He rushed in carrying his baby girl they went straight in to see the doctor. It seemed like hours had past but really just one had. Emily and JC sat worried in the waiting room. The doctor came out looking the two in the eye it seemed that their was sadness in his eyes.

"Are you Mr. Chasez," The doctor asked JC nodded his head afraid to speak b/c he knew his voice would falter leaving him helpless." I am sorry to inform you but your daughter has a rare form of Lukemia and without the propper treatment your little girl could....die,"The doctor said pausing on the hard part. JC fell back in his chair tears imediatly exscaping his closed eyelids. The Doctor went over the procedure they were going to use and let JC in to see the frightened girl.

"Daddy, Can I come home, now, " The little girl asked to weak to crawl out of the bed. JC tried to pull hisself together as he told the little girl everything he could to make her less scared. Soon she fell asleep believing that the doctors and nurses were her best friends and were just there to help her be strong. He walked out of her room and saw Emily with her head in her hands sobbing in a chair.

"Emily, lets go home,"JC said wiping his eyes. He wrapped an arm around the girl to steady her as they got in his car. JC opened her door for her and made sure she was in safely after that he got in on his side. The drive home was silent except for the sniffing and sobs. JC walked through the door to find Justin and Kaitlyn fast asleep in her small bed. He decided to leave the grown man asleep with the small girl who looked so comforted in his arms. JC went and crawled in his on bed when he heard a knock on the door. Geting up, he opened it slowly to find Emily standing there.

"I can't sleep," Was all the girl told him and he had already invited her in. He motioned for her to sit on the bed and he lazily wrapped a arm around her and began singing a song softly...

You'll never know, what you've done for me. What your faith in me, has done for my soul. You'll never know the gift you've given me. I'll carry it with me yeah.

Through the days ahead I'll think of days before, you made me hope for something better. You made me reach for something more.

You taught me to run. You taught me to fly. Helped me to free me inside. Helped me hear the music of my heart, helped me hear the music of my heart. You've opened eyes. You've opened the door, To something I've never known before. And your love, is the music of my heart.

You were one, always on my side. Always standing by, seeing me through. You were the song that always made me sing. I'm singin this for you. Everywhere I go I think of where I've been. And of the one who knew me better, than anyone ever will again.

You taught me to run. You taught me to fly. Helped me to free the me inside. Helped me hear the music of heart. Helped me hear the music of my heart. You've opened my eyes. You've opened the door, to something I've never known before. And your love, is the music of my heart.

What you taught me, only your love could ever teach me. You got through when no one could reach me before. Cause you always saw in me, all the best that I could be. It was you who set me free.

You taught me to run. You taught me to fly. Helped me to free the me inside. Helped me hear the music of my heart, helped me hear the music of my heart.

You taught me to run. You taught me to fly. Helped me to free the me inside. Helped me hear the music of heart, helped me hear the music of heart.

You've opened my eyes. You've opened the door, to something I've never known before. And your love, is the music of my heart.

The next morning the sleeping two awoke to a banging outside the door. "JC, wake up man the doctors just called and said Nikki made a turn for the worse,"Justin screamed through tears at the door. JC, Emily, and Justin ran like hell to the car and drove the short ride to the hospital.

"Mr. Chasez, Nikki is in a comma,"the doctor told him gulping JC's heart shattered into a million peices upon hearing those words. Those were the words every parent dreaded to hear. JC was let in to see her and he imediatly was rushed with words he needed to tell her. He told her how he loved her dearly of how her Uncles and exspecially him needed her to pull through. He couldn't lose her he knew that and somewhere she did to. He grabbed her small hand and sqeezed it softly but tight in his hand. He began to sing her her favorite song in her small ear.

Wherever you go Whatever you do I will be right here waiting for you No matter what it takes Or how my heart breaks I'll be right here waiting for you.....

JC blinked he could have sworn he felt the small girl squeeze back. JC's visiting time was over and Justin walked in. Justin never seen her like this and almost fainted from shock. "Hey babygirl,"he said half expecting a reply. He took her cheek and softly kissed the top of her nose. "You gotta be strong and pull through for your Daddy, I know it's hard, but you are all he has in this world,"Justin told her tears drifting from his eyes. "I know me and you we weren't as close as I would have liked to be with you Nix," his brow furrowed as he saw the small girl peer open an eye.

"Uncle Justin," she mummered softly. She grabbed for his hand and he gladly let her have it. Justin yelled for a doctor w/ new tears in his eyes. Tears of Joy of reassurance. Doctors rushed in left and right and pushed Justin outside. JC heard what Justin was telling him and hit the floor and started crying tears of hapiness. Emily was taken home to relieve Chris of looking after Kaitlyn.