Chapter 22

Lila struggled to get her other earring in as she walked from the main room back to the bathroom and back again. Lucy, one of the make-up girls, sat on the bed with Justin as he crawled around talking in his babytalk. "So, you're sure about this?"

Lucy looked up to where Lila was standing, "I'm sure..I didn't want to go to the show, I wanted to go to the after-party."

Lila smiled, "Well, I'll be back in time for you to go and have fun."

"I mean, I can watch him afterwards, if you wanted to go-"

"No..those things aren't really my style..plus, I know you wanna go flirt with Nick."

Lucy blushed before laughing, "He's cute, what can I say?"

Lila smiled, "That he is..I'll be right back and I'll finally be ready."

Lila disappeared into the bathroom to check her make-up and hair before she grabbed the small purse she was taking and walked out. "So..what do you think? I want your honest opinion."

Lucy stood up with Justin in her arms, he had taken a liking to her almost immediately..it was cute. "I think you look great Lila."

"Really?"

"Yea..Kevin hasn't seen you, has he?"

"No..not yet..I've got to meet them down the hall..now, you have my cell number and Kev's too, right?"

Lucy nodded and let Justin go to his mother, "Yes, I've got your all's plus Nick's and Billys' and Marcus'. He'll be fine Lila and it's only for a few hours."

Lila sighed, "I know..but he's just had this cold and everything..and I feel bad for him for feelin' bad and stuff..and you know what? Maybe I just shouldn't go...I'll go change and call Kev.."

"Lila! It'll be fine..."

Lila sighed again and looked at Justin who was happily playing with her necklace. "I guess you're right..I'm sorry..I tend to freak out every once and a while.."

Lucy smiled, "It's ok..he's a cutie, so I can understand. I'll call you if ANYTHING goes wrong..and if you want, you can call back here on your way back and check up..or call whenever you want Lila, I don't care..but I assure you he'll be fine."

Lila looked at the clock, Kevin was going to be pissed if she was the one late although she knew she wouldn't be the last one there...AJ would.

"Ok..ok..I've gotta get going or Kev's gonna have a cow..be good for Lucy baby, and I'll be back soon.," She said kissing Justin's temple.

Lucy reached for Justin and cradled him on her hip, "We'll be fine. Go have fun."

Lila smiled and grabbed her purse once more, "Ok..I'll call you when we're on our way back, alright?"

"Alright..see you later."

Lila closed the door behind her and walked down the hall. She could do this. She had left Justin alone for a few hours before and this would be no different. Lila paused out front of the suite where everyone was meeting up and stood there, trying to calm her nerves. Truth was, she didn't really have a problem leaving Justin with Lucy. She was just nervous about going to such a big show like the Grammy's. She took a deep breath and knocked, waiting for someone to answer.

Nick pulled the door open and looked her up and down, "Damn..why'd Kev have to get to you first?"

Lila smiled before blushing slightly, "Thank you Nicky."

"You look...great Lila."

"Are you just telling me that to be nice or do I really look like a huge whale?"

"Woman, you look damn fine!," AJ's voice bellowed as he caught site of her.

"Hey!," Sarah's voice said, jokingly.

Lila laughed, "Thank you..when are we leaving?"

"As soon as they give us the call to go downstairs..come on in..everyone's already here."

She nodded and followed the two inside. LeighAnne stood looking in one of the bigger mirrors, fixing her make-up that was already flawless while Brian sat in one of the chairs near the mirror, reading a paper. Howie sat with his date on one of the couches and Sarah stood up as AJ entered. Kevin appeared and smiled when he saw Lila, "You look...wow.."

"Really?"

"Really.."

"Thank you..you look great too."

He kissed her gently, "Thank you..we're just about ready to go...you ready to do this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be..Nick, don't you have a date?"

Nick shrugged, "Nah..I'm flyin' solo."

"Well, I do believe I am going to be lucky."

"Huh?"

"I'm gonna get myself two dates, come here Nicky."

He grinned as she took his other arm and positioned herself in between the two. "Well, maybe I'm the lucky one."

The phone rang and Howie, being the closest to the phone, picked it up and said a few words to whoever it was before hanging up and standing up. "They're ready for us..security will meet us out front of the elevators, they said there's some fans out there.."

Everyone got their things together, fixed imaginary wrinkles and fixed make-up and hair. Lila held tightly to Kevin's hand as they walked down the long hallway to the elevators. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Yea..just a little nervous."

"You'll be fine...we'll be fine."


They reached the Shrine Auditorium within the hour. The limo pulled to a stop and already, the crowd could be heard screaming and yelling. The door was opened a minute later and Kevin smiled at her once more before stepping out. He reached down for her hand and she took it a little shakily and he helped her out. AJ and Sarah were with them as well and Lila almost laughed as AJ stepped out, waving to all the fans that lined either side of the red carpet. They screamed and cried, waving their arms and signs. It was amazing.

Bodyguards stayed with them as they stepped down onto the red carpet and faced the papparazzi and the reporters. Kevin kept ahold of Lila's hand as they made their way past cameras and people. They were stopped every few feet for an interview or a picture; it took them nearly a half hour just to get inside the place!

Once inside and at their seats, Lila finally had time to breath. She looked around where people were milling around, producers and people running the show were running around in a panic almost. She sat back and sighed. Kevin looked over at her, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Yea...I'm good.."

He leaned over, kissing her gently, "Good...I'm glad you decided to come.."

"Me too.."

"Love you."

She smiled, "Love you too, Kev."

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