...With You

Chapter 24



Madison laid in her bed staring up at the ceiling. It was Monday morning and she couldn’t believe that it was a week ago that she found out she was pregnant. She was at home. Home, meaning the house she grew up in. Justin and her had decided to tell their parents together at the opening concert in South Carolina. Luckily, her parents agreed to come out with her. They’d never met Justin, and although she was excited to introduce him to them, it was a little nerve wracking. In their book, JC was a hard act to follow, and it probably wouldn’t be the best situation with JC right there. Besides the introductions, they also had a little announcement to make. All in all, the experience would be one to remember.
::Ring, Ring::
Madison heard the phone ring, and then her mother answer.
“Hello” she said over the phone. “No, I’m sorry Justin, she’s still sleeping. I can wake her for you……Ok, then. I’ll have her call you when she gets up.”
Madison listened to her mother hanging up the phone and still couldn’t find it in her to get up out of bed. She thought back to the last few days in awe. So much had happened in such a small amount of time. Starting off the week with the unexpected pregnancy, then Steve offered her a promotion that could easily change her life, for the better. She was able to move around and travel to special events as a news correspondent still, but now the majority of her job would be working with the creative department, which in short meant more possible time out of New York and on the road with Justin. At home work, at her leisure was her specialty and nothing made her happier than when Steve approached her with it. She rolled out of bed and headed towards the kitchen and found her mom hovered over a cup of coffee. She looked up when she saw Madison coming out.
“Good morning, princess” she said smiling.
“You’re still calling me that?” Madison smiled.
“You’re my little girl…you’ll always be my princess.” Sara smiled at her daughter.
Madison smiled back and knew that she’d be the same way.
“So, any of that coffee left?” Madison asked.
“In the pot” Sara motioned over to the counter. “That boyfriend of yours called a little while ago.”
Madison smiled. “He did, huh?”
“I told him I’d wake you but he insisted I let you sleep, so you should call him back.” Sara said.
“I will” Madison said.
“Madd…” Sara started to say. “How serious are you with this guy?”
Madison looked at her mother, knowing that she wanted only what was best for her daughter. Was it possible to express to her mother the feelings she felt for Justin?
“I love him, mom” Madison said simply. “He’s my world.”
Sara nodded. “So, this is more serious than Josh?” she asked.
Madison fidgeted due to the uncomfortable question. “Yes, mom. It’s definitely more serious than JC.” She answered.
“Madison, as long as you’re happy you know that you’re father and I are behind you one hundred percent.” Sara said. “And, we definitely can’t wait to meet him.” She smiled.
“Good.” Madison said. “Because I can’t wait for you to meet him either.
Madison excused herself to make her phone call to Justin.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison hung up the phone and smiled. Plans were set for the next few days on Justin’s end so all she had to worry about was getting herself and her parents to the airport. That was the least of Madison’s worries though. She hadn’t seen the guys since September, and now she’d being seeing a lot of them, and that meant JC too.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison walked through the terminal with her parents directly behind her. She stepped into the airport in search of someone familiar to pick them up and take them to the guys. It wasn’t long before she spotted Lonnie waiting for them.
“Hey Lonnie” Madison smiled and gave him a hug.
Lonnie smiled and embraced Madison back. Madison introduced her parents and after claiming their luggage they headed out to the limo that would take them to the hotel.
“So Lonnie….are Justin’s parents here yet?” Madison asked on the way.
“Yep. They arrived last night.” He said flatly.
Madison felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach. Maybe this was too much for one week. She smiled and looked at her parents who were deep in conversation. She could only pray that this wasn’t a mistake by laying this on them all at once.

**~*~*~*~**

“What time did Madison’s flight come in?” Lynn asked.
“About a half hour ago” Justin answered “They should be here any minute.”
“It’ll be nice to see her again. She’s such a sweet girl.” Lynn smiled.
Justin smiled at his mom. He loved the fact that she liked Madison. Maybe ‘liked’ wasn’t the correct word, more like ‘adored’.
“I’m glad you like her, mom” he admitted.
Lynn shook her head at Justin. “Sweetie, you know as long as you’re happy, we’re happy too. Anyway, how could we not like Madison.”
Justin smiled and kissed his mom on the cheek. Deep inside though he was worried. He just prayed that Madison was handling everything alright.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison, Sara, Shaun, and Lonnie all stood in the elevator waiting for the doors to open. Sara and Shaun were checked in and ready to go. Meanwhile, it was time to meet up with Justin and the rest of the gang. The doors opened and Lonnie motioned over to where the guys were staying. Lonnie left to go to his own room and left Madison and her parents in the hall.
::Knock, Knock::
Madison knocked on the door and awaited its opening. Only a few seconds later Justin came to the door, smiling wide.
“Hey baby” he said, giving her a big hug and kissing her lightly on the lips.
Madison and her parents filed into the room and introductions were made between Justin, Sara and Shaun. Madison could tell by the look on her parents faces that they loved him already, as if there was any doubt.
“Madison, is that you?” Lynn asked, coming in from the other room.
“Lynn!” Madison smiled.
Lynn enveloped her into a hug and smiled. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
“You too.” Madison smiled back.
Madison introduced Lynn to her parents and took time to relax a little. As the three of them talked, Justin and Madison went to the adjoining room.
“So, how’re ya doin?” Justin asked, pulling Madison close to him.
“Good. Now kiss me.” She smiled.
Justin shrugged. Who was he to argue? He pulled Madison even closer to him and brushed her lips with his. First lightly and with each second passing more intense. They parted and smiled into each others eyes.
“Well, that was nice.” Madison said, smiling.
Justin smiled back, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
“There’s more where that came from” he smiled back at her.
Madison just laughed and hugged him tightly, knowing that nothing could go wrong with Justin by her side. The two of them made their way back out to the sitting area where the three older adults had gotten into a deep conversation.
“Ah, there they are.” Lynn smiled, looking in their direction. “Guys, I figured Paul and I would take Sara and Shaun out to lunch so you two can head for lunch with the others. How does that sound?” she asked.
Madison looked at Justin and started to speak. “Sounds ok to me. Mom…Dad?” she asked looking at her parents.
“Sounds good.” Sara said smiling.
They made plans to meet up at the sound check and Justin and Madison headed out to the restaurant the guys had gone to for lunch. They hadn’t left too long ago, and the two of them would just be a little behind the rest. Justin and Madison walked out of the hotel, hand in hand, with Lonnie not far behind.

**~*~*~*~**

“You gonna be ok?” Justin asked, heading towards the entrance of the diner.
Madison looked at him and smiled. “Yeah, it’s just been awhile since I’ve seen them. I miss ‘em!” she said.
“More than me?” he asked playfully.
“Of course not.” Madison smiled. “I missed you most, even though I did just see you five days ago.” She said.
They walked into the diner and spotted the guys. Madison smiled as she approached the table.
“So,” she started “how are my favorite guys in the whole world?” she smiled.
One by one they all stood up, giving Madison hugs and kisses. She couldn’t believe how much she actually missed these guys. JC was last in line and they paused awkwardly before taking their eyes off each other.
“Well...come here Madd” he smiled, taking her into his arms. “We missed you. From now on you’re not allowed to stay away so long!” He smiled.
“I’ll agree with that!” Justin smiled.
They all took their seats and the waitress came to take their orders. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as Madison thought.

**~*~*~*~**

At the Sound Check…

Madison smiled as she spotted Tim file into the venue.
“Hey babe!” she smiled, running to meet him.
“Hey there, Madd! I’ve missed you!” Tim answered.
“I missed you too” she smiled, hugging him lightly.
Tim set up to feed to New York. Madison couldn’t believe that Steve had asked her to cover opening night of the tour. It was so cool to be able to spend time with the guys as part of her job. She set up her in-ear and heard Carson on the other end. TRL was just starting, she’d be on in a little bit, maybe with a surprise or two.

**~*~*~*~**

On Air…

Carson: “As most fans probably know, Nsync kicks off the second leg of their No Strings Attached Tour tonight in South Carolina. We sent down Madison to take a look at the proceedings. So, let’s check in with her now…Madd?
Madison: “Hey Carson! I am down here in South Carolina to help kick off the Nsync tour. I’ve been watching these guys in their sound check and they are truly amazing.
Carson: “Can you give us a little bit of a peek, there Madd?”
Madison: “I think I might be able to do better than that….”
** Camera pans to 5 guys standing there with Madison **
Carson: “Well! That I wasn’t expecting! Hey guys!”
All: “Hi Carson, Hi everyone!”
Carson: “Madison, you’re amazing…. Guys, you all ready for the show?
Justin: “We are so psyched to be starting up a tour again. We have some new special effects in store and just…a great show.”
Carson: “Well, that’s awesome. I know a lot of the fans in the audience up here are anticipating that.
** Cheering **
Carson: “Madison, thank you for bringing us up to date with the guys. Guys, thanks for taking time out to say hi. We’ll see you all later.”
All: “Bye!”
Madison: “Bye Carson”
Carson: “Bye Madison, enjoy yourself down there”
** Winking **
Madison: “I will, thanks.”
** Smiling/Laughing **

**~*~*~*~**

“I didn’t realize you were working on this trip” Lynn smiled at Madison from across the table.
Madison smiled. “If they’re going to pay me to come and see a concert, I’m not going to complain.” She laughed.
“No. No, I guess not.” She said.
Madison, Sara, Shaun, Justin, and Lynn were all sitting backstage eating a little something before the show. Madison looked over to her side and smiled. She saw Justin and her dad smiling and talking. She was so glad everyone got along. Her mom and Lynn seemed to hit it off as well. All was well between the parents and Madison breathed a silent sign of relief.



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